United States of America v. Chris Lee Gordon

Davenport, Iowa criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with f being a felon in possession of

a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).



On July 24, 2022, an Iowa City police officer stopped a vehicle with a malfunctioning break light. As the officer approached the vehicle, he noted an odor of burnt marijuana and observed Gordon in the back seat. Gordon was asked to exit the vehicle, and other officers arrived to assist with the stop. An officer searched the vehicle and found a 9-millimeter pistol, with a loaded extended magazine near where Gordon had been sitting. The pistol did not have a serial number and Gordon disclaimed ownership of it. When the officer asked whether Gordon's fingerprints would be found on the pistol, he stated "everyone touches it.” Gordon repeated that answer when asked whether he handled the pistol the night of the traffic stop.

Gordon pled guilty pursuant to both charges. At sentencing, over Gordon’s objection, the district court found Gordon possessed a gun in connection with “the felony drug crimes of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, [and] distribution of a controlled substance.” The district court determined Gordon’s firearm furthered his drug distribution activities because his drug-related conversations were clustered around the dates he admittedly possessed a gun or ammunition, and guns are known tools of the drug trade. Based on that finding, the district court applied § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B), which increased Gordon’s offense level by four.



The district court sentenced him to a 144-month term of imprisonment.