A man from Marion, Iowa, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and evading Cedar Rapids police. Brent Robinson, aged 23, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing was presided over by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams in Cedar Rapids.
According to information revealed during sentencing, Cedar Rapids Police officers attempted to stop a red vehicle driven by Robinson on March 19, 2025, around 2:15 a.m. The vehicle was suspected to have been involved in a theft earlier that morning. Robinson, instead of stopping, accelerated to 55 mph, ran through several stop signs, and eventually crashed into a parked car. Following the crash, Robinson, the sole occupant of the car, fled on foot. Despite repeated commands, he did not stop until tackled by an officer, who sustained a knee injury during the pursuit. Robinson was found to be intoxicated at the time.
Officers found stolen items from the earlier theft in the vehicle's glovebox, alongside a loaded .380 caliber handgun. Robinson admitted that the gun belonged to a friend but acknowledged handling it. As a convicted felon, Robinson had prior convictions for intimidation with a dangerous weapon and robbery. He also faced a conviction for first-degree theft due to the stolen items in the vehicle.
In addition to the two-year imprisonment, Robinson will face a three-year supervised release with no option for parole. Until his transfer to a federal prison, Robinson remains in the custody of the United States Marshal.
This sentencing is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence, enhancing safety in communities. Launched with a focused strategy in May 2021, the project emphasizes community trust, support for violence-prevention organizations, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.
Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. This task force includes members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.