A Rock Island man, Lashawn Leroy Williams, Jr., 24, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after being convicted on charges related to firearms and cocaine distribution. The sentencing took place on January 28, 2026, in Davenport, Iowa.
Court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing revealed that Williams purchased at least 21 firearms between September 2022 and December 2024. During these purchases, he falsely stated that he was not a drug user and provided an incorrect address. Law enforcement officials have recovered seven of the firearms purchased by Williams in connection with various investigations, including those involving drugs and homicides.
In March 2025, authorities arrested Williams while he was in possession of a quantity of cocaine intended for distribution and a firearm equipped with an extended magazine. According to prosecutors, Williams carried the weapon for protection during his drug trafficking activities.
After serving his prison sentence, Williams will be subject to a three-year term of supervised release. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.
"This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN aims to hold illegal firearm possessors and straw purchasers accountable. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN," according to the statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
