SIOUX CITY — A Fort Dodge felon who admitted selling two revolvers and synthetic marijuana to a person cooperating with law enforcement will spend nearly five years in federal prison.
Joshua Layne Kelly, 25, of Fort Dodge, was sentenced September 9 to 57 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of firearms by a prohibited person.
Kelly entered his guilty plea April 28.
Federal prosecutors said Kelly admitted possessing two .22-caliber revolvers in Webster County on November 6, 2025, despite knowing that his prior felony record prohibited him from possessing firearms.
The weapons were an FIE Little Ranger .22-caliber revolver and a High Standard Double Nine .22-caliber revolver.
Guns and K2 sold to cooperating individual
According to federal prosecutors, Kelly offered to sell two revolvers to an individual cooperating with law enforcement in early November 2025.
The transaction took place November 6 in Fort Dodge.
Kelly admitted selling the individual both revolvers along with approximately 3.5 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as K2 or Spice.
Prosecutors said Kelly had previously been convicted of numerous crimes, including multiple burglary and theft offenses.
He was also an unlawful user of marijuana when he possessed the firearms.
Those circumstances prohibited Kelly from legally possessing guns.
Federal authorities have pursued a number of similar prohibited-person firearm cases in the Fort Dodge area. NIT previously reported on another Fort Dodge felon sent to federal prison after illegally possessing multiple firearms.
Nearly five years behind bars
U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand imposed Kelly’s 57-month prison sentence in Sioux City.
Kelly must also serve three years of supervised release after completing the prison term.
There is no parole in the federal prison system.
Kelly remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service while awaiting transfer to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood.
The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department and Webster County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.