Rock Island Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Gun Charges

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Rock Island men were sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, on June 12, 2025, all three men drove together to sell marijuana to a confidential source.

Daquez Deasante Howard, 22, remained in the car and possessed money from the drug sale, a loaded, Taurus pistol with an extended magazine, and 20.83 grams of marijuana on his seat. On July 8, 2026, Howard was sentenced to a 68-month prison term, followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

Darryl Lee Smith, Jr., 23, was apprehended by police after he ran from the car and possessed a loaded revolver with the hammer cocked back. On May 13, 2026, Smith was sentenced to a 57-month prison term, followed by a three-year term of supervised release

Darryl Benard Shears, III,24, ran on foot, escaping the police. Inside the car, police found a loaded pistol, 35.10 grams of cocaine, 14.31grams of crack cocaine, and two functioning scales where Shears had been seated in the car before and after the drug deal. On June 29, 2025, Shears was arrested. Shears again attempted to flee from police on the Arsenal Bridge, crashing into multiple police cars, and jumping into the Mississippi river. Shears also possessed a loaded pistol with a round in the chamber. On October 8, 2026, Shears was sentenced to a 204-month prison term, followed by a six-year term of supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.