Man with Lengthy History of Violence Sentenced to More than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Firearms

A man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced September 27, 2023, to more than 15 years in federal prison.

Marlo Harper, aka Umar Amir Al-Sayyaad Allahdheen, age 46, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 13, 2023, guilty plea to two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and drug user and twice violating the Armed Career Criminal Act, a federal law that increases the punishment for violent recidivists. After a jury was selected, but before testimony began, Harper pled guilty and admitted that on two separate occasions in August 2021, he unlawfully possessed firearms.

Evidence in the case revealed on August 10, 2021, Harper was stopped by Sioux City Police for traffic infractions.  Upon contact with the occupants in the vehicle, the officer detected an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle.  The occupants were removed, and a subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted.  When Harper exited the vehicle, he admitted having a firearm and a knife on his person.  A loaded handgun – with a round in the chamber – was removed from his waistband. Officers also located a fanny pack in the trunk that contained ammunition. Harper also had an open container of alcohol.

On August 24, 2021, Harper was stopped by Iowa State Patrol outside of Sheldon, Iowa. When the State Trooper contacted the occupants, he noted an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. During the traffic stop investigation, approximately 2 grams of marijuana was found, along with a loaded handgun in the center console, which was positioned for easy access by Harper, who was driving the car.  Harper also had a set of nunchucks between the driver seat and center console.  Three additional firearms were found in the trunk, as well as ammunition and a samurai sword. 

Harper’s criminal history includes Assault in the 1st Degree, in Hennepin County, Minnesota; Assault in the Second Degree, in Ramsey County, Minnesota; Two counts of Aggravated Assault (Family Violence), Terroristic Threats, Possession of a Firearm or Knife During the Commission of a Felony and Battery – Family Violence, all in Fulton County, Georgia; and Theft, in Tarrant County, Texas.

Harper was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 198 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sioux City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ron Timmons and Forde Fairchild. 

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

The case file number is 21-4085.

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