Iowa City man found with stolen firearm sentenced to federal prison

Hunter
07/10/24

An Iowa City man with felony convictions who was found with a stolen firearm was sentenced to federal prison.

Police say they were alerted to 35-year-old Nicolas Garrett of Southgate Avenue, traveling by Trailways bus on his way to Iowa City on May 10th, 2023. His ex-girlfriend told authorities that Garrett had active warrants and was   in possession of a stolen handgun.

Garrett arrived that night with a black Nike duffel bag and was arrested. He allegedly admitted ownership of the bag and its belongings, which included a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun. The firearm had been reported stolen at the Calumet City Illinois Police Department.  A check of Garrett’s criminal record showed a domestic abuse conviction in Johnson County, Winnebago County, and convictions out of Cook County Illinois.

Garrett was originally charged with Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon, Trafficking in Stolen Weapons, Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Domestic Abuser, and 3rd degree Theft.  He could have been sentenced to up to 17 years in prison.

On June 27th, Garrett was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. After completing his term of imprisonment, Garrett will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.