Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
A man from Iowa City has been sentenced to federal prison for purchasing firearms for his drug dealer. Desmond Staggers, aged 26, received a sentence of 23 months following his guilty plea on October 10, 2024, to one count of possession of firearms by an illegal user of a controlled substance.
During Staggers's plea and sentencing, it was revealed that between 2023 and 2024, he purchased seven firearms. At the time, he was addicted to heroin and fentanyl. Staggers acquired the firearms under the instruction of his drug dealer and handed them over to the dealer after purchase.
United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Staggers in Cedar Rapids. Alongside his prison term, Staggers must complete a three-year supervised release period. The federal system does not offer parole.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at lowering violent and gun-related crime with collaboration from various community and law enforcement levels. In 2021, the Department launched a strategy to strengthen PSN focusing on fostering community trust, supporting violence-prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating results.
Staggers has been released on bond and is pending surrender to the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist prosecuted the case, with the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
