Cedar Rapids Man Indicted for Unlawful Possession of an AR-15 Assault Rifle at Iowa City Protest

DAVENPORT, Iowa- United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on October 30, 2020, Brandon Tumause Owen, age 20, of Cedar Rapids, was indicted by a federal grand jury for one count of Unlawful Drug User in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Sections 922(g)(3) and 924(a), after he brandished an AR-15 assault rifle during a June protest in Iowa City. According to public records, Owen was stopped on June 7, 2020, by Iowa City Police for a traffic offense. An impaired driving investigation was performed and indicated Owen was under the influence of marijuana. An AR-15 rifle was located inside Owen’s vehicle. Under federal law, it is illegal for an unlawful drug user to possess firearms.

“Our Constitution protects everyone’s right to peacefully protest against injustice,” said United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. It does not protect anyone’s right to illegally carry and publically brandish an AR-15. We will prosecute those – including protestors – who commit federal gun crimes.”

After the indictment of Owen, FBI Omaha’s Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “The FBI holds sacred the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms. When someone threatens the safety of peaceful protestors, we will step in to protect them.”