Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison following his involvement in two separate shooting incidents. David Rafael Walker, aged 38, was found guilty by a jury on December 11, 2024, of possessing a firearm as a felon.
The court heard evidence that on December 14, 2021, Walker fired shots at a woman and child after becoming angry when the woman went to lunch with another man. Three days later, while driving in Cedar Rapids, Walker noticed he was being followed. He stopped his vehicle and pointed a gun at the car behind him. In response, an occupant of the other vehicle shot back at Walker. This incident was captured by doorbell cameras in the area.
Walker has previous felony convictions for attempting to elude law enforcement and drug-related offenses including manufacturing or delivering heroin.
Chief Judge C.J. Williams of the United States District Court sentenced Walker to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow for parole.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to enhance PSN by focusing on community trust and legitimacy, supporting preventive community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
Walker remains in custody under the United States Marshal's care until his transfer to a federal facility.
Assistant United States Attorneys Devra Hake, Emily Nydle, and Dan Tvedt prosecuted the case following an investigation conducted by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. This task force includes members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cedar Rapids Police Department, and Marion Police Department.
