Sioux City Man Who Illegally Possessed a Firearm Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison (DOJ)

Joshua Solis, age 37, from Sioux City, was sentenced December 17, 2025, to 8 years in federal prison after a September 9, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Evidence in the case revealed on May 9, 2025, law enforcement responded to a report of a motor vehicle stopped in a turn lane, with a witness reporting the driver of the vehicle appeared to be slumped over the steering wheel. Solis was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Law enforcement observed Solis displaying signs of drug impairment. Solis consented to a search, where law enforcement located a baggie containing methamphetamine, as well a loaded handgun, magazines, several other rounds of ammunition, and further drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on state charges for these crimes and later formally charged in state court with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a controlled substances.

He paid a bond and was released on the state charges prior to trial. However, on June 3, 2025, Solis was observed walking in the middle of a roadway. Law enforcement contacted Solis and found him in possession of another handgun, more methamphetamine, a digital scale, and $750 in cash. He was then charged federally for his criminal conduct.

Solis was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 96 months' imprisonment to be served consecutively to any state sentence, if one is imposed. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. 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.

Solis 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 Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and the United States Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 25-4034.

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