U.S. Attorney Timothy Duax | U.S. Department of Justice
A 20-year-old from Burlington, Iowa, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. Garnett Adam Propst was convicted on December 10, 2024, after pleading guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting false statements during the purchase of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
The incident leading to his arrest occurred on September 12, 2023, when Propst obtained and possessed a Beretta handgun while under high-risk supervision for a prior state felony offense. On September 30, 2023, he used the firearm to fire multiple shots into a residence in Cedar Rapids. Following this event, Propst transferred the weapon to another felon, Lawrence Lamar Newell.
Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Propst in Cedar Rapids. In addition to his prison term, Propst will serve three years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow parole.
Currently held in the United States Marshal’s custody, Propst awaits transportation to a federal prison.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin prosecuted the case. It was investigated by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The initiative focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
