Clear Lake man with violent past to serve over 3 years for gun possession

CEDAR RAPIDS – A man who possessed a gun after multiple prior felony and domestic abuse convictions was sentenced today to more than 3 years in federal prison.

Nicholas Freitag, age 36, from Clear Lake, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 28, 2018, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon and domestic abuser.

In a plea agreement, Freitag admitted that, in July 2017, he and his girlfriend purchased a firearm from another individual at a truck stop in Evansdale, Iowa. After the gun was later found in the trunk of Freitag’s vehicle, Freitag stated that he needed the gun for protection during his employment as a truck driver. Freitag also has a prior felony conviction for possessing a firearm in February 2017.

Freitag was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Freitag was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Freitag 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 Justin Lightfoot and investigated by the Clear Lake Police Department.