Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
A Forest City, Iowa man has been sentenced to 45 months in federal prison for firearm possession as a drug user and making false statements in firearm purchases. Brian Lee Byers, 39, pleaded guilty on June 7, 2024, to four counts of possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user and four counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
Byers admitted to possessing multiple firearms while using marijuana and methamphetamine between July 2019 and February 2020 across several counties in Iowa, including Cerro Gordo, Black Hawk, Winnebago, Grundy, and Hancock. He falsely stated on federal forms that he was not a drug user on several occasions: July 25, 2019, November 9, 2019, February 22, 2020, and February 24, 2020, during firearm purchases.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand handed down the sentence in Sioux City. Following the 45 months’ imprisonment, Byers will serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Until transportation to a federal prison, Byers is held in the United States Marshal’s custody.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime and gun violence. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy focusing on fostering community trust, supporting prevention organizations, and setting focused enforcement priorities.
The investigation was carried out by the Mason City Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Fletcher and Jack Lammers.
