Chicago Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm Charges

 DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Chicago, Illinois man, with ties to Iowa City, Travon Shaetwon Ambrose, age 23, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 40 months’ imprisonment for Drug User in Possession of Firearms (Counts 1, 4, and 5), Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (Count 2), and to 60 months’ imprisonment for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 3). The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. Ambrose was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $500 to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

According to court documents, Ambrose was identified by law enforcement as a drug distributer in September 2019. A search warrant was executed at Ambrose’s residence in Iowa City in November 2019. During the search, officers found 100 grams of marijuana and numerous pills which Ambrose admitted he intended to distribute to others. Further search revealed $11,660 in cash, which was identified as drug proceeds/funds used to facilitate drug distribution, and two firearms. Ambrose admitted to possessing at least one of the firearms in furtherance of his possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. On September 28, 2020, Ambrose led law enforcement on a high speed and discarded a loaded firearm with an extended magazine during a foot pursuit. On October 23, 2020, Ambrose possessed a stolen handgun, large quantities of marijuana, and $875 in drug proceeds/funds used to facilitate drug distribution. On April 19, 2021, Ambrose pleaded guilty to the charges.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa City Police Department investigated the case.