Des Moines Man Sentenced to Federal Prison After Pointing a Gun at Police Following a Car Chase Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Iowa Byline: MacKenzie Tubbs Dateline: Des Moines, Iowa Date: 30 November 2023 Subjects: American Government , Crime

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines man was sentenced on November 16, 2023 to 13-and-a-half years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.

According to public court documents, Fawnie Allen Avery, 36, was on parole with the State of Iowa when he led officers with the Des Moines Police Department on a nighttime chase through residential neighborhoods after law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop of his vehicle. Avery crashed his vehicle, climbed out of his window, and attempted to flee on foot. A uniformed officer attempted to apprehend him. Avery struggled against the officer and pulled a firearm from his waistband. Avery pointed his firearm at a plain clothes officer and chambered a round in the firearm. Police were able to subdue Avery when a third officer arrived on scene.

At sentencing, the District Court found that two Des Moines Police officers were victims of Avery’s offense because Avery pulled his gun during the struggle leading to his arrest, pointed his gun at an officer, and chambered a round in his gun. The Court also found that Avery recklessly created a substantial risk of injury or death during the vehicle chase prior to his arrest.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.

MacKenzie Tubbs
Public Information Officer 
515-473-9300
USAIAS.PAO@usdoj.gov  

Updated November 30, 2023