Iowa member of Sons of Silence motorcycle club sentenced to 10 months for firearms

Aug. 20, 2021 3:02 pm, Updated: Aug. 22, 2021 8:43 am

SIOUX CITY — A Sheffield man who was the “enforcer” for the northern Iowa chapter of the Sons of Silence motorcycle club, also classified as a gang, was sentenced this week to 10 months in federal prison.

Justin Carlson, 38, pleaded guilty March 19 in U.S. District Court to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

During the plea and sentencing hearings, Carlson admitted he and other members of the club and an affiliated group confronted a motorcyclist, who was an off-duty police officer, in April. They claimed the officer needed permission from the Sons of Silence to wear one of the patches he had on the back of his jacket.

Federal Court House Photographed, Monday February 28, 2011 in Cedar Rapids. (Gazette File Pho)

In a search of Carlson’s home, officers recovered his Sons of Silence motorcycle vest, which had brass knuckles in the pocket, numerous items of the club’s paraphernalia and two firearms.

U.S. District Chief Judge Leonard Strand sentenced Carlson to the 10 months and also ordered him to serve two years supervised release following prison.

Carlson is free on bond and is to report to the Bureau of Prisons at a date to be determined.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is the centerpiece of the U.S. Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Reinert and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; FBI; Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force; Clarion, Waverly and Algona police departments; Franklin County and Wright County sheriff’s offices; and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

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