‘Armed career criminal’ sentenced to 15 years for firearms, ammo

A 51-year-old Cedar Rapids man who referred to himself on Facebook as a 'professional convict” was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in federal prison for a firearms conviction.

Robert M. Hertz, considered an 'armed career criminal,” pleaded guilty in July to one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon. Hertz was charged in May with possessing a .40 caliber rifle and 237 rounds of ammunition, after being previously been convicted of three felonies - arson, second-degree burglary and manufacturing methamphetamine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Murphy presented evidence during sentencing that showed Hertz attempted to obstruct justice by trying to influence a witness to conceal information from the FBI about his use and possession of guns. Other evidence showed Hertz possessed three guns and numerous ammunition magazines.

U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade noted Hertz's Facebook messages showed his 'criminal thinking” and said they were 'very concerning.” She pointed out he didn't have any recent convictions but 'his head is still not on straight.”

Prosecutors highlighted some of his numerous Facebook posts describing how he made a promise to kill another person for a friend, offered to kill a woman and 'bury her deep” and, in another post there was a reference that he 'burned the house down” around his unfaithful wife and brother-in-law.

Hertz was arrested under a search warrant last May when authorities were looking for four family members who were later charged with smuggling guns to Lebanon. Hertz wasn't involved in the alleged smuggling operation, authorities later confirmed.