IOWA CITY – He waved his gun at folks, then stuffed it in a fanny pack and tossed it as cops closed in. Now, he spends a decade in the slammer.
According to public court documents and sworn testimony during sentencing, Sanchez Lavelle Watson, age 43 of Iowa City, was identified by law enforcement after officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in Iowa City in reference to a man waving a gun and threatening others. Officers located a vehicle that was known to have left the scene and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. Watson was identified as the driver prior to Watson fleeing from police in the vehicle. The vehicle eventually stopped, and Watson proceeded to flee on foot. Nearby the stopped vehicle, officers located a fanny pack containing a handgun with an extended magazine and marijuana. The fanny pack was known to be associated with Watson. As a convicted felon, Watson is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition and was charged with felon in possession of ammunition.
Watson was sentenced on January 18, 2024. After completing his term of imprisonment of 120 months, Watson will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department.
