A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced April 9, 2012, to more than 4 years in federal prison.
Sterling Clark, 21, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 28, 2011, guilty plea to illegally possessing a firearm. Clark was previously convicted of a felony, namely: intimidation with a dangerous weapon on September 4, 2007, in Webster County, Iowa District Court.
At the guilty plea, Clark admitted to possessing a semi–automatic Sig Pro 40 caliber pistol. On August 11, 2011, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle occupied by Clark, who fled the vehicle and was later located and apprehended by officers. During a pat down and search of Clark, officers located and seized the loaded pistol from Clark’s shorts pocket.
Clark was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Clark was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a 3–year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Clark is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Fort Dodge Police Department.