Social media posts lead to weapons charges for Iowa City man

By Lee Hermiston, The Gazette

IOWA CITY - Social media posts led to an Iowa City man's arrest on weapons charges.

While focusing on Darnell McConnell, 35, of Iowa City, in a drug investigation, police learned McConnell - who is prohibited from possessing firearms because of past crimes - had several pistols and rifles, according to Iowa City police criminal complaints.

Witnesses told police they had seen McConnell with weapons in person and in social media posts.

During the last several weeks, McConnell posted pictures of himself with multiple guns online as well as videos showing him firing weapons, police said.

On Friday, police executed a search warrant at his girlfriend's home, where they found four guns, including one he was holding in a social media post.

Police said McConnell admitted his DNA and fingerprints could be found on the gun and he regularly handled them around the neighborhood or at the gun range.

A search warrant also was executed at McConnell's home, 2162 Davis St., where police found live ammunition and gun accessories.

'Numerous different illegal substances,” including an estimated 50 to 100 ecstasy pills, were found at his residence, police said.

McConnell was arrested and faces charges of controlled substance violation, a Class C felony; Iowa drug tax stamp violation, a Class D felony; and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon; a Class D felony. He remains in custody on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

' Comments: (319) 339-3155; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com