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United States of America v. Daniel Graben
Date: 12-20-2024
Case Number: 23-cr-04071.
Judge: Kelly K.E. Mahoney
Court: The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa (Linn County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The States United Attorney’s Office inCedar Rapids
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Cedar Rapids, Iowa Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
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Description:
Arsonist Who Built and Fired Two Improvised Explosive Missiles Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison
Cedar Rapids, Iowa criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with
Arsonist Who Built and Fired Two Improvised Explosive Missiles Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison
A man who had already been convicted of felony arson who illegally built and fired two improvised explosive missiles was sentenced December 5, 2024 to 10 years in federal prison.
Daniel Graben, age 60, from Sioux City, Iowa, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Evidence in the case revealed on the morning of February 28, 2022, a resident of rural Plymouth County observed what he thought was a "low flying mortar†over his house. He then heard it explode in the distance. He then saw a second object cruising above his house and heard it also explode in the distance. Another witnesses reported hearing a "very large explosion.†A third person reported an unexplained and unattended grass fire near the intersection of Plymouth County Roads C44 and K18. The fire was more than 1,000 yards away from any roadway or obvious combustible spark. The Akron Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, and a criminal investigation ensued.
Law enforcement discovered the wreckage of two improvised explosive missiles, connected them to Graben, and searched his Sioux City, Iowa home pursuant to a federal search warrant. In Graben's townhouse, which was in a populated area of town and near a school, law enforcement found firearms, ammunition, powerful military-grade explosive material, other explosive materials, bomb-making materials (some of which were consistent with the materials found in the missile wreckage), 110 (non-missile) explosive devices (containing black and flash powder), and 14 (non-missile) explosive devices.
In 2008 Graben had been convicted of arson and threatening a crime
with intent to terrorize another in the State Courts of California. In 2012 Graben had been convicted of possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance in the State Courts of Idaho.
Graben was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 120 months' imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. He was also ordered to pay a fine. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice's violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Graben is being held in the United States Marshal's custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Plymouth County Sherriff's Office, the Iowa Department of Public Safety's Iowa State Fire Marshall Division, the Sioux City, Police Department, and the United States Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Outcome:
Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Daniel Graben?
The outcome was: Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison
Which court heard United States of America v. Daniel Graben?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa (Linn County), IA. The presiding judge was Kelly K.E. Mahoney.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Daniel Graben?
Plaintiff's attorney: The States United Attorney’s Office inCedar Rapids. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Cedar Rapids, Iowa Criminal Defense Lawyer Directoryfont >.
When was United States of America v. Daniel Graben decided?
This case was decided on December 20, 2024.