A Cedar Rapids man has pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing a firearm as a felon. Bruce Jovon Williams, 34, admitted to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to evidence presented at an earlier hearing, on August 28, 2024, a woman reported to law enforcement that Williams had physically assaulted her and struck her with a gun. When officers located Williams in Cedar Rapids, he fled into a backyard and hid in a small garage. He refused commands to leave the garage and was apprehended by a police K9. Officers recovered a firearm in the backyard near where Williams was found. Williams has two prior felony convictions for second-degree theft.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community groups. The Department of Justice enhanced its violent crime reduction strategy for PSN in May 2021 by focusing on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and tracking outcomes.
Sentencing will take place before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams after completion of a presentence report. Williams remains in U.S. Marshal custody pending sentencing. He faces up to 15 years in prison without parole, up to $250,000 in fines, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake is prosecuting the case. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force investigated the matter with members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cedar Rapids Police Department, and Marion Police Department.
