A convicted felon and methamphetamine user who possessed a firearm and ammunition within the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison.

Ricky Joe Vaughn, age 36, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 4, 2015, guilty plea to one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon.

At the guilty plea hearing, Vaughn admitted that he knowingly possessed a Ruger SR1911 Commander .45 caliber pistol and Winchester .45 a.m.munition on October 6, 2014, in Cedar Rapids. Vaughn also admitted to prior felony convictions in state court for manufacturing methamphetamine and theft.

Vaughn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade to 96 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

Court file information available: https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR15-0005.