Hawkeye Reporter

A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison following a guilty plea related to an armed robbery during a drug transaction. Dequan Autrell Jenkins, 27, admitted on February 26, 2025, to interference with commerce by robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The incident occurred on June 24, 2024. Jenkins and another individual met someone in Cedar Rapids for the purpose of buying fentanyl. During the exchange, Jenkins brandished a firearm and robbed the seller of both fentanyl and a backpack. At the time, Jenkins was prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions.

United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams handed down the sentence of 141 months' imprisonment in Cedar Rapids. Jenkins will also be required to serve five years of supervised release after his prison term. There is no possibility of parole in the federal system.

Jenkins remains in the custody of the United States Marshal until he is transported to federal prison.

The case is connected to Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on trust-building with communities, supporting prevention efforts by local organizations, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and tracking outcomes.

"This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results."

Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force with representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cedar Rapids Police Department, and Marion Police Department.