A Clinton man, Caleb J. McManus, was sentenced on March 26 to 60 months in federal prison for possessing firearms as a felon.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address gun violence and enforce restrictions on firearm possession by individuals with felony convictions.
According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, law enforcement found 11 firearms at McManus’s residence in Clinton in January 2025. Of these firearms, six were handguns and one had an obliterated serial number. McManus was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, including a 2024 conviction for fraudulent purchase of firearms from the Iowa District Court for Clinton County. He was on probation for that offense at the time of his arrest and also has previous convictions related to assault with a firearm.
After serving his prison term, McManus will be subject to three years of supervised release. There is no parole available under the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The case was investigated by the Clinton Police Department.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement agencies and communities with the goal of reducing violent crime and gun violence. According to information provided about PSN, a violent crime reduction strategy was launched on May 26, 2021, focusing on building community trust, supporting organizations that prevent violence before it occurs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
