Felon Who Pulled Gun During Altercation Sentenced to Federal Prison

Edward Hankerson, age 40, from Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison, after an April 17, 2026, guilty plea to Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Domestic Violence Misdemeanant.

Evidence in the case revealed Hankerson’s criminal possession of a firearm was discovered on September 24, 2025, when law enforcement responded to a report of two individuals fighting outside of a mini mart.  When law enforcement arrived, the parties had left the area.  During the investigation, officers obtained surveillance footage of the incident which showed that Hankerson pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the other individual. However, the magazine had fallen out of the gun when Hankerson drew it from his waistband, so when he attempted to fire the gun, it did not discharge.  Hankerson then pistol-whipped the victim before leaving the scene on foot.  A short time later, law enforcement observed Hankerson leaving his residence where he was taken into custody.  Hankerson admitted to the altercation and pulling the firearm on the individual.  

Hankerson’s criminal history includes convictions for possession of a controlled substance, operating while intoxicated as well as two convictions for domestic battery causing bodily harm. 

Hankerson was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 60 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Hankerson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.

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

The case file number is 25-4070.

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