A Davenport man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. The sentencing took place on January 20, 2026.
Court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing showed that Areion Marshaun Watson, 29, was found with a loaded pistol during a traffic stop. Watson fled from the passenger seat during the stop. He was not allowed to have firearms due to previous felony convictions, including a 2020 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
After serving his prison sentence, Watson will be under supervised release for three years. Federal law does not allow parole.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that involves cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. In May 2021, PSN launched an updated strategy focused on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and tracking outcomes. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
