Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to More Than a Decade in Prison for Role in Robbery and Carjacking

A Cedar Rapids man who participated in an armed carjacking of a young woman near Kirkwood College on October 22, 2017, and planned and participated in a robbery of a Sprint phone store in Cedar Rapids using the stolen car the following day, was sentenced August 22, 2019, to serve twelve years in federal prison.

Gage Rupp, age 25, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after pleading guilty to one count of interference and attempted interference with commerce by threats and violence (Hobbs Act robbery), one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and in furtherance of, Hobbs Act robbery.

Evidence at sentencing showed Rupp had a long history of criminal activity in Cedar Rapids.  His criminal history included prior convictions for drug possession, attempted burglary, twice assaulting a pregnant girlfriend, and interference with official acts.  Other evidence showed Rupp had been implicated in, or present at, at least thirteen incidents where gunshots had been fired in the five years prior to the crimes in this case.  Evidence also showed that Rupp was an active dealer of marijuana in the fall of 2017, and was involved in a fraudulent scheme to pay outstanding bills of his friends and associates, in exchange for being paid half the cost of the bill.  The scheme involved the apparent use of stolen credit cards or unauthorized access to bank accounts belonging to others.

Rupp was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  In sentencing Rupp, Judge Strand found that the nature and circumstances of the offenses were “hugely aggravating.”  Further, Judge Strand noted Rupp has been a “menace,” a “drain on society,” and has been a “thug.”  Judge Strand noted Rupp had many chances in the past to conform his conduct to the law.  He rejected Rupp’s plea for a “second chance,” noting it would be more like a “fifth chance.”  Judge Stand told Rupp there was “no excuse” for his conduct and said, “it’s time to pay the price.”

Rupp was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Rupp is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Murphy and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force.  The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.