Date: 07-23-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Michael Dean Hanus, Jr.

Case Number: 23-3043

Judge: Leonard T. Strand

Court: The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Cedar Rapids

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Possession of a Firearm
Wright County, Iowa Man to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

Michael Dean Hanus, Jr., 45, from Clarion, Iowa, was sentenced on July 22, 2024, to over four years in federal prison. Hanus, Jr. pled guilty on March 11, 2024, to possessing a firearm by a prohibited person. Hanus, Jr. was previously convicted of Interference with Official Acts – Dangerous Weapon, which prohibits a person from possessing a firearm.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that in October 2023, law enforcement in Wright County, Iowa were investigating elder abuse. During the investigation, law enforcement received information that Hanus, Jr. possessed an AR-15 style rifle, at his father’s residence in Humboldt, Iowa, where Hanus, Jr. was living for some time. An agent seized an HDR-15 rifle from Hanus, Jr., and later determined the firearm was stolen. Hanus, Jr. admitted to possession of the firearm, including his knowledge of his previous felony conviction, which prohibited his possession of any firearm. Evidence also showed Hanus had ten previous convictions for assault-based conduct over past 20 years.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Hanus, Jr. was sentenced to 52 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Hanus, Jr. remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 52 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following the imprisonment

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Defendant's Experts:

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