A Council Bluffs man, Jesus Everardo Medina, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. The sentence was handed down after it was found that Medina, aged 40, had a loaded and stolen pistol in his waistband in July 2024. This incident follows a previous conviction in 2018 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He completed his term of supervised release in December 2022.
Following his imprisonment, Medina will be subject to three years of supervised release. It is important to note that the federal system does not allow for parole.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal from the Southern District of Iowa. The investigation into this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) along with the Council Bluffs Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting various levels of law enforcement with community efforts. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN's strategy includes fostering trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes. More information about this program can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.