A Waterloo felon who had a handgun under his bed was sentenced February 9, 2010, to one year in federal prison.

James Williams, age 50, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 12, 2009, guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Williams had been convicted of a felony crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year – Third Degree Burglary – in Black Hawk County, Iowa, on May 25, 1993.

On December 31, 2007, defendant’s ex-girlfriend filed a complaint with the Waterloo Police Department alleging she was assaulted by Williams. She said Williams possessed a handgun. Officers questioned Williams about the assault and the weapon. Williams denied the assault but admitted he possessed a weapon. He consented to a search of his residence and showed officers a .38 caliber revolver and ammunition in a portable safe under his bed.

Williams was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Williams was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, and a special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bob Teig as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a cooperative local, state, and federal program aimed at the enhanced prosecution of gun crimes. The case was investigated by the Waterloo Police Department.

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