Chicago man sentenced to over 8 years for distributing marijuana, firearms

DAVENPORT — A Chicago man was sentenced this week to more than eight years in federal prison for distributing marijuana and possessing firearms.

Travon Shaetwon Ambrose, 23, who lived in Iowa City in 2019, pleaded guilty in April to three counts of being a drug user in possession of firearms, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

He was sentenced Wednesday to 40-month and 60-month prison terms for the charges, to be served consecutively, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. Ambrose also was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

According to court documents, Ambrose was identified by law enforcement as distributing drugs in September 2019. A search warrant was obtained for his Iowa City residence in November 2019. During the search, officers found 100 grams of marijuana and numerous pills that Ambrose admitted he intended to distribute to others. Officers also found $11,660 in cash, which was identified as drug proceeds and two firearms.

Last September, Ambrose led law enforcement on a high-speed chase and discarded a loaded firearm with an extended magazine during a foot pursuit. On Oct. 23, Ambrose possessed a stolen handgun, large quantities of marijuana, and $875 in drug proceeds.

The Iowa City Police Department investigated this case.

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