Domestic Abuser and Drug User Who Illegally Possessed a Firearm Sentenced to Federal Prison

Brandon Mitchell, 29, from Mason City, Iowa, was sentenced December 18, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa.  Mitchell pled guilty April 30, 2025, to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  Mitchell was previously convicted twice for domestic abuse assault in the Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County.  The convictions prevented Mitchell from legally possessing firearms. 

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Mitchell had two prior convictions for misdemeanor domestic violence and was an unlawful user of marijuana.  Evidence further showed that on February 24, 2024, when Mitchell possessed the 9mm pistol, he was under state felony indictment for attempted murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm by a domestic abuser.  Mitchell also admitted that during a search warrant at his residence he discarded the 9mm pistol out of a bedroom window in an attempt to avoid being found in possession of a firearm.   

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Mitchell was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 2-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Mitchell remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.  

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement, and Mason City Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-3038.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.