An Iowa City man, O’Sean Dentale Horton, 29, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for firearm and ammunition charges. The sentencing took place on June 26, 2025. According to court documents and evidence presented during the sentencing, Horton was found in possession of two loaded pistols, a distribution quantity of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in December 2020. These items were discovered in two backpacks at his sister's residence.
In May 2023, surveillance video captured Horton firing multiple shots at another individual in an apartment complex parking lot in Coralville. Shell casings from a .40 caliber firearm were left behind at the scene. At the time of these offenses, Horton was on probation for failure to affix a drug tax stamp as per the Iowa District Court for Johnson County.
Following his prison term, Horton will serve a three-year supervised release period. It is noted that there is no parole available within the federal system.
The announcement of Horton's sentence was made by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal from the Southern District of Iowa. The case involved investigations conducted by several agencies including the Iowa City Police Department, University of Iowa Police Department, Johnson County Drug Task Force, Johnson County Special Emergency Response Team, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case falls under 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 introduced a strategy to enhance PSN focusing on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes. Further details about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
