Luke Braniff, a 26-year-old resident of Mason City, Iowa, pleaded guilty on March 3, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City to the charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Braniff has prior convictions for two counts of lascivious acts with a child from 2017 and multiple sex offender registry violations in 2018, 2023, and 2025. These previous convictions make it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition.
During the plea hearing, Braniff admitted that he knowingly possessed ammunition despite being prohibited due to his criminal record. Authorities discovered his illegal possession while investigating reports that he had sent inappropriate sexual messages to a minor via Snapchat and requested nude images from the child.
Sentencing will take place before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand after a presentence report is completed. Braniff remains in custody with the United States Marshal Service until sentencing. He could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine as high as $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release after serving any prison time.
