A man who possessed firearms illegally was sentenced September 9, 2026, to more than 4 years in federal prison.
Joshua Layne Kelly, age 25, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 28, 2026, guilty plea to one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person.
At the guilty plea, Kelly admitted that on November 6, 2025, in Webster County, he possessed an FIE, Little Ranger .22 caliber revolver and a High Standard, Double Nine .22 caliber revolver, knowing he was then a felon. In early November 2025, he offered to sell an individual cooperating with law enforcement two revolvers. On November 6, 2025, in Fort Dodge, he sold the cooperating individual an FIE, Little Ranger .22 caliber revolver, a High Standard, Double Nine .22 caliber revolver, and approximately 3.5 grams of synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice).
Prior to his possession of the firearms, he had been convicted of numerous crimes including multiple incidents of Burglary and Theft. At the time of his possession of the firearms, he was also an unlawful user of marijuana.
Kelly was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Kelly was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Kelly is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), the Fort Dodge Police Department, and the Webster County Sheriff’s Office