Iowa man sent to federal prison for using gun to further his drug dealing business

CEDAR RAPIDS – An Iowa man who was trafficking marijuana while unlawfully possessing a firearm was recently sentenced to six years in federal prison.

Hombra Lavail Williams, age 40, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 29, 2017, guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a felon, unlawful drug user, and domestic violence misdemeanant.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge found that Williams’s possession of the .45-caliber handgun facilitated his marijuana trafficking. Williams had numerous previous criminal convictions, including domestic violence abuse, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and possessing heroin with intent to distribute.

Williams was sentenced last week in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Williams was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment and a special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Williams is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.