Hawkeye Reporter

A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to eleven years in federal prison for possessing firearms as a prohibited person. Kyler Goettsch, 28, pleaded guilty on May 31, 2024, to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms. During the plea hearing, Goettsch admitted that he possessed two pistols in November 2023 after having previous convictions for four felonies and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

At the sentencing hearing, evidence showed that Goettsch was arrested following a brief standoff with law enforcement during which he did not comply with officers’ commands and officers drew their weapons.

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Goettsch to 132 months in prison. After completing his prison term, Goettsch will serve three years of supervised release. Federal prisoners are not eligible for parole.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates efforts among various levels of law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice strengthened this program on May 26, 2021, by focusing on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.