Drug Dealer with History of Violence Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearm

A drug dealer with a history of violence who fled a traffic stop was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison.

Antonio Rockwood, age 26, from Sioux City, received the prison term after an August 13, 2024, guilty plea to Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Drug User, and a Misdemeanant Domestic Abuser.

Evidence in the case revealed in September of 2023, officers with the Sioux City Police Department attempted a traffic stop on a Silver Chrysler 300, for dark window tint, that was known to be driven by Rockwood. The vehicle fled officers. Officers went to a nearby address Rockwood was known to frequent. The vehicle was found abandoned and high-centered, where it had collided with two parked vehicles. A neighbor advised officers Rockwood was the driver and had fled into a nearby residence. While officers were clearing the vehicle, they observed a handgun stuck between the driver's seat and center console. Officers also located a backpack containing a crystalline substance that tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 153 grams. Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and found Rockwood hiding in a crawl space in the attic.

Rockwood has previous felony convictions for theft and controlled substance violations, as well as a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, all in Woodbury County, Iowa.

Rockwood 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. 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.

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

The case was investigated by Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and 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 23-4082.

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