A Cedar Rapids man, Kirby Joe Truesdell, 48, was convicted by a federal jury for possessing a firearm after having five felony convictions and a misdemeanor domestic abuse conviction. The conviction followed a two-day trial in Cedar Rapids federal court, with the jury delivering its verdict after just over an hour of deliberation.
According to evidence presented at trial, Truesdell was found in an unoccupied residence. When Cedar Rapids police arrived to investigate, they found him exiting the garage. Truesdell did not cooperate with officers and was taken into custody. Officers discovered a loaded revolver inside a backpack belonging to Truesdell. His prior felony convictions include two counts of OWI 3rd Offense, burglary, theft, and forgery. He also has a previous conviction for assault causing bodily injury—domestic abuse with penalty enhancement.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), which coordinates Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime by utilizing efforts from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The case also falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement agencies and community groups to reduce violent crime and gun violence. In May 2021, the Department of Justice launched a strategy to strengthen PSN by fostering trust within communities, supporting prevention-focused organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and tracking results.
Truesdell’s sentencing will be scheduled following preparation of a presentence report. He remains in custody pending sentencing and faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorney Emily Nydle and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson are prosecuting the case. The investigation involved the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Linn County Sheriff’s Department, US Marshal Service, and Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.
