Lawrence Moore, 37, of Bode, Iowa, entered a guilty plea on April 10, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City for illegal firearm possession. Previously, Moore was found guilty of armed robbery and aggravated battery in Cook County, Illinois, which barred him from having firearms or ammunition.
During the plea hearing, it was revealed that Moore participated in firearm transactions, discussing the buying and selling of guns. In the fall of 2024, he communicated with an undercover agent to negotiate a firearm trade. On November 18, 2024, authorities executed a search warrant at Moore's home and discovered a fully loaded Smith & Wesson Model 59 semi-automatic pistol hidden in his mattress. Additionally, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in the residence.
Sentencing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence report. Moore is currently under the custody of the United States Marshal and faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a maximum of three years of supervised release.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program designed to reduce violent crime and improve neighborhood safety. Launched by the Department on May 26, 2021, the project focuses on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement goals, and evaluating outcomes.