Hawkeye Reporter

Michael Turner, a 35-year-old resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm. The sentencing took place on July 1, 2025, at the federal court in Sioux City.

During his plea hearing on February 5, 2025, Turner confessed to possessing a Glock .45 caliber pistol between March 1 and March 29, 2024. He was aware that he had previous convictions for crimes punishable by more than one year of imprisonment and was an unlawful user of controlled substances. On March 29, 2024, authorities stopped Turner and found him with the Glock pistol. Ballistic evidence later confirmed that this firearm was used in a shooting incident on March 8, 2024, in Fort Dodge. Surveillance footage further placed Turner at the scene during the shooting.

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand presided over Turner's sentencing. In addition to his prison term, Turner is required to serve two years of supervised release following his imprisonment. There is no parole option available in the federal system. Until his transfer to a federal prison facility is arranged, Turner remains under the custody of the United States Marshal.

This case forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on building community trust and legitimacy while supporting organizations dedicated to violence prevention.

Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde prosecuted Turner's case following investigations by several agencies: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Iowa State Patrol; Webster County Sheriff’s Office; Fort Dodge Police Department; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.