Waterloo man sentenced to 15 years on federal gun charge

CEDAR RAPIDS - A man who sold a stolen firearm during an undercover sting operation was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to 15 years in prison.

Vernon M. Webster, 44, of Waterloo, pleaded guilty in March to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

During the plea hearing, Webster admitted he illegally possessed a .44 magnum revolver and 30 rounds of ammunition in July 2015.

Testimony at an earlier hearing showed Webster had sold the revolver, which was previously stolen, and ammunition to another person during an undercover sting operation. Testimony also showed that during another undercover operation in December 2016, Webster sold a bulletproof vest that was previously stolen from a reserve police officer. 

During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Linda Reade noted that Webster had previously been convicted of felony burglary three times, and also has a felony drug conviction. He was considered an armed career criminal according to the sentencing guidelines, she said.    

Reade also ordered Webster to be on supervised release for five years following his prison term.

Webster is being held in U.S. Marshal's custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

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