Hawkeye Reporter

A Cedar Rapids man, Kirby Joe Truesdell, age 48, was convicted by a federal jury for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The conviction is based on his five prior felony convictions and a misdemeanor domestic abuse offense. The verdict followed a two-day trial in Cedar Rapids federal court and came after just over an hour of jury deliberations.

According to evidence presented at trial, Truesdell was found at an unoccupied residence. Cedar Rapids police officers discovered him coming out of the garage. He did not cooperate with officers and was taken into custody. A loaded revolver was located inside a backpack in his possession. Truesdell’s criminal record includes felony convictions for OWI 3rd Offense (twice), burglary, theft, forgery, and assault causing bodily injury - domestic abuse-penalty enhanced.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, which uses resources from the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime. More information about this initiative can be found at https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline.

Additionally, this prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence through cooperation between law enforcement agencies and local communities. The Department of Justice launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on trust-building in communities, supporting prevention efforts through community organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Sentencing will be scheduled before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J., following the preparation of a presentence report. Truesdell remains in custody pending sentencing and faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Nydle and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson. Agencies involved in the investigation include the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Linn County Sheriff’s Department, US Marshal Service, and Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.

"The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Nydle and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the US Marshal Service and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation."

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