A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison following a conviction related to an armed robbery during a drug transaction.
Dequan Autrell Jenkins, 27, pleaded guilty on February 26, 2025, to charges of interference with commerce by robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court records, on June 24, 2024, Jenkins and another individual met with someone in Cedar Rapids for the purpose of buying fentanyl. During the exchange, Jenkins displayed a firearm and robbed the person of both fentanyl and their backpack. At the time of the offense, Jenkins was not allowed to possess firearms due to prior felony convictions.
United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Jenkins in Cedar Rapids to 141 months in prison. Following his incarceration, Jenkins will serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole available in the federal system.
Jenkins is currently held by the United States Marshal’s Service until he is transferred to a federal facility.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep. The investigation was conducted by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force, which includes members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cedar Rapids Police Department, and Marion Police Department.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates efforts among law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. The Department launched an updated strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021 focused on building community trust, supporting prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and measuring outcomes.
