Hawkeye Reporter

A former operator of a used appliance business in Marion, Iowa, has been convicted on two firearms offenses. Cordell Maleec Mayfield, 28, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was found guilty by a jury after a three-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids. The charges include one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and another for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

The verdict came this afternoon after approximately 35 minutes of jury deliberations. Evidence presented at the trial revealed that Mayfield had a firearm with an obliterated serial number at his business on September 19, 2024. This incident occurred when Marion Police conducted a welfare check following a 911 call regarding the safety of the caller's daughter who was with Mayfield. Officers witnessed Mayfield holding the weapon and later seized it during their search. Further evidence showed that prior to this incident, Mayfield had expressed preference for firearms with obliterated serial numbers.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. In 2021, the Department launched an enhanced strategy focusing on fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting preventive community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Sentencing will be scheduled before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams after preparing a presentence report. Until then, Mayfield remains in custody under the United States Marshal’s supervision. He could face up to 20 years' imprisonment along with fines totaling $500,000 and three years of supervised release post-imprisonment.

Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick J. Reinert and Ashley Corkery are prosecuting the case following investigations by multiple law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Marion Iowa Police Department, Cedar Rapids Police Department as well as Linn County Sheriff's Office.