Judge sentences Cedar Rapids felon Brian Lee Brown to 87 months for gun crime

CEDAR RAPIDS - A felon who illegally had a gun and discharged it inside a Cedar Rapids apartment building was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Thursday.

Brian Lee Brown, 39, of Cedar Rapids, pleaded in March to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Linda Reade cited Brown's extensive criminal history going back to age 18 and his history of violence. She also pointed out that Brown had a rifle and ammunition, he fired the weapon in his apartment and the bullet went through the apartment wall and into an adjacent apartment. A woman and two children were in that apartment but nobody was injured.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Morfitt, in his sentencing memo, argued Brown's prison time should be increased and the court should depart from the recommended guideline sentencing range because of Brown's 'crimes of violence,” which include burglary and assault. Brown's record 'demonstrates a lifelong pattern of disrespecting the law and his tendency to recidivate,” he added.

Reade enhanced Brown's prison time, sentencing him to 87 months. He must also serve three years of supervised release following his prison time.

The case was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. The task force includes representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

l Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com