Cedar Rapids man sentenced to 2 years for firearms after domestic violence conviction

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was sentenced this week to more than two years in federal prison for illegally possessing a gun, which stemmed from a domestic violence incident he was convicted for in state court.

Bruce Jovon Williams, 35, pleaded guilty Aug. 22 in U.S. District Court to possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to evidence at hearings, Williams became angry with a woman in February 2024 and started punching her and strangling her with a rope. He also put a gun to her head and said, “Give me a reason why I shouldn’t kill you.”

In August 2024, he again punched the woman, grabbed a knife and held it in a threatening manner and struck her with a gun, according to court documents.

She had bruising to her face, chin, chest and her eyes were swollen, according to a criminal complaint in Linn County District Court. The woman told police Williams assaulted her throughout the overnight hours and there had been a “long history” of physical and sexual abuse by him.

The woman tried to leave the residence but he stopped her and threatened to kill her, the complaint stated.

At some point Williams left and went to another home nearby. When police responded at that home, Williams ran and hid in a small garage, according to court documents. He refused to come out. A K-9 unit was called out and Williams was taken into custody. Officers then found a gun near the garage.

Williams had an outstanding warrant from the February 2024 incident, and he has previous convictions for second-degree theft and domestic abuse.

U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams this week sentenced Bruce Williams to 32 months in federal prison on the firearm charge and ordered him to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Devra Hake and investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which consists of FBI agents and Cedar Rapids and Marion police officers.

Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts for The Gazette

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