CEDAR RAPIDS – The Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force took decisive action this past week to make the streets of the city safer. Ten individuals were charged on federal gun related offenses.
Safe Streets, headed by the FBI, combats guns and other violent crimes by coordinating local, state and federal agencies to maximize intelligence gathering. Coordinating focus ensures law enforcement resources are put to their best and most efficient use. The Task Force was formed in late 2009 following a spike in violent crime in the Cedar Rapids area.
United States Attorney Kevin Techau reported the Task Force’s recent activities at a press conference held at the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Other participants attending the press conference included the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Techau emphasized that, “The Safe Streets Task Force, has in the past—and will in the future—focus its intelligence gathering and prosecutions on those most dangerous criminal elements who choose to unlawfully use and possess firearms.” He reinforced that Safe Streets resources are available to all law enforcement agencies with related investigations as a “force multiplier,” whether or not those agencies are members of the Task Force. U.S. Attorney Techau concluded indicating, “If you’re a prohibited person possessing or using a gun, you’re violating federal law and you’re going to pay a price, and federal prison time is a heavy price to pay.”
FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Kitsmiller commented on the partnership among agencies stating, “Our Task Force is committed to working with our state, local and federal partners to combat criminal activity. The recent charges demonstrate what can be achieved through the cooperative efforts of several law enforcement agencies, and serves as a warning that criminal activity will not be tolerated in our community.” Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Gabriel Poling, the FBI agent heading the Task Force, echoed the same endorsement and warning.
Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman also offered his praise for the efforts of everyone involved with the Task Force. He also stated, “Since coming together and focusing our energy, it is again evident illegal activity involving firearms will not be tolerated in our city.”
In the past week, the Task Force’s work has resulted in the following charges being filed:
Darius Devon Flowers, age 26, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with one count of being a felon and domestic abuser in possession of a firearm and ammunition (Case No. 15-MJ-189). On April 22, 2015, Flowers allegedly possessed a loaded .25 caliber pistol under the front passenger seat of a vehicle in Cedar Rapids. Flowers was allegedly convicted of felony possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in 2009 and felony burglary in 2012. Flowers is in state custody. No date has been set for Flowers’ first appearance in federal court.
Bryan Gall, age 24, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with one count of being a felon and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm (Case No. 15-MJ-186). On April 29, 2015, Gall allegedly possessed two handguns, a shotgun, and several rounds of ammunition at a residence in Cedar Rapids. At the time, Gall was allegedly an unlawful user of marijuana and heroin. Gall was allegedly convicted of felony burglary in 2009 and felony possession of contraband in a correctional facility in 2010. Gall is in state custody. No date has been set for Gall’s first appearance in federal court.
Anthony Steven Hall, Jr., age 30, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with one count of being a felon and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm (Case No. 15-MJ-176). On April 13, 2015, Hall allegedly possessed a .40 caliber handgun in the console of a vehicle in Cedar Rapids. At the time, Hall was allegedly an unlawful user of marijuana. Hall was allegedly previously convicted of felony delivery of a controlled substance, felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, domestic abuse assault, felony robbery, and twice for possession of a controlled substance. Hall appeared in federal court in Cedar Rapids on June 17, 2015, and was held without bond. Hall’s next appearance for a detention hearing and preliminary examination is set for June 22, 2015, at 1:30 p.m.
Scott A. High, age 39, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Herbert A. Feickert, age 61, also from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, have each been charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm (Case No. 15-MJ-180). On January 2, 2015, High allegedly possessed three handguns and three long guns – as well as ammunition – at a residence in Cedar Rapids. Feickert allegedly possessed additional firearms at his residence on January 3, 2015. High was allegedly convicted of felony possession of a controlled substance in 2001 and multiple counts of felony burglary in 2009. Feickert was allegedly convicted of breaking and entering in 1973, larceny in the nighttime in 1974, multiple OWIs, and domestic abuse assault in 1992, twice in 1993, 1998, 1999, and 2002. Both High and Feickert appeared in federal court in Cedar Rapids on June 15, 2015, and were held without bond. No date has been set for either High or Feickert’s next appearance in federal court.
Kenyatta Abdul Aziz Hill, age 29, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm (Case No. 15-MJ-182). On December 26, 2014, Hill allegedly possessed a handgun at a residence in Cedar Rapids. Hill was allegedly previously convicted of felony delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a church and felony obstruction of justice. Hill appeared in federal court in Cedar Rapids on June 15, 2015, and was held without bond. No date has been set for Hill’s next appearance in federal court.
Mitchell Demarcus Hall, age 25, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with one count of being a felon and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm (Case No. 15-MJ-183). On May 23, 2015, Hall allegedly possessed a loaded handgun in a vehicle in Cedar Rapids. At the time, Hall was allegedly an unlawful user of marijuana. Hall was allegedly convicted of felony aggravated robbery in 2009. Hall appeared in federal court in Cedar Rapids on June 15, 2015, and was held without bond. No date has been set for Hall’s next appearance in federal court.
Jerald Sims, age 38, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm (Case No. 15-MJ-181). On September 19, 2014, Sims allegedly possessed two long arms at a residence in Cedar Rapids. Sims was allegedly previously convicted of felony burglary. Sims appeared in federal court in Cedar Rapids on June 17, 2015, and was held without bond. Sims’ next appearance for a detention hearing and preliminary examination is set for June 22, 2015, at 2:30 p.m.
Fabian Taylor, age 27, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm (Case No. 15-MJ-175). On July 20, 2014, Taylor allegedly possessed a loaded handgun in a vehicle in Cedar Rapids. Taylor was allegedly previously convicted of felony burglary and domestic abuse assault. Taylor is in state custody. No date has been set for Taylor’s first appearance in federal court.
Marcus Alexander Thomas, age 22, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition (Case No. 15-MJ-188). On March 16, 2015, Thompson allegedly possessed a loaded handgun in a vehicle in Cedar Rapids. At the time, Thomas was allegedly an unlawful user of marijuana. Thomas appeared in federal court in Cedar Rapids on June 15, 2015, and was held without bond. No date has been set for Thomas’ next appearance in federal court.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
If convicted, each individual faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel Chatham, Anthony Morfitt, Timothy Vavricek, and C.J. Williams, and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Eldridge and Ravi Narayan and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. During this investigation, the task force was composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
See attached flyer, “A Gun Can Put You Away.”
