COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A U-S District Court Judge on July 14th, sentenced a Pottawattamie County man to slightly more than 5-years in prison, for being a felon and drug user in possession of a firearm. 27-year old Jimmy Joe Gappa, of Council Bluffs, was also ordered to serve a period of supervised release of three years to follow his prison term and pay a $100 special assessment payable to the Crime Victims’ Fund. There is no parole in the federal system.

On June 8, 2019, Gappa and a friend were in Mills County driving when their vehicle broke down. As they walked away from the vehicle, a law enforcement officer stopped them. Gappa had an outstanding warrant and he was arrested. Gappa was in possession of a stolen pistol, ammunition, and methamphetamine.

The investigation was conducted by the Mills County Sheriff’s Office and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.