A Denison man pled guilty Tuesday to charges including illegal possession of firearms and silencers. According to documents from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, 37-year-old Ian Ward submitted his pleas to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, one count of possession of a short-barreled rifle, and one count of possession of silencers. Evidence presented at the plea hearing showed that Ward was stopped by law enforcement in Pocahontas County on Aug. 21, 2023. During the traffic stop, Ward, who admitted to being high on fentanyl, was found with six firearms, including an illegal short-barreled rifle and five suppressors. Law enforcement also seized methamphetamine, THC wax, and drug paraphernalia from Ward’s vehicle. Ward admitted to using fentanyl, meth, and marijuana and to having a prior felony drug conviction in Minnesota, making him prohibited from possessing any firearms. Sentencing will be set following a presentence report. Ward remains in custody and faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for the firearm conviction, and up to 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for each illegal firearm and silencer conviction. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.
Denison Man Pleads Guilty To Illegal Short-Barreled Rifle, Silencer Possession Charges
