Omaha Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Gun Charge

Press Release

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA – A Nebraska man was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 37 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for knowingly possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.

According to court documents, on May 17, 2020, Matthew C. Banfield, age 36, of Omaha, was in possession of a Springfield 45 caliber handgun. Banfield fired the weapon at various stationary targets in a rural location located in Pottawattamie County. Prior to this date, Banfield had been convicted of a felony. During his possession of the firearm, Banfield knew he was a prohibited person based on his prior felony convictions. Banfield pleaded guilty to the gun charge on January 8, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The Council Bluffs Police Department, Omaha Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force investigated the case.


The Department of Justice is remaining vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis. 


If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19 please click the image above for a variety of resources. 

Community Outreach

Giving Back to the Community through a variety of venues & initiatives.

Victims of crime may experience feelings of confusion, frustration, fear and anger. The United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Iowa Victim/Witness Unit is dedicated to making sure that victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness and respect.

Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee

Training and seminars for Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies.

Help us combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children.

You appear to be using an ad blocker

Shore News Network is a free website that does not use paywalls or charge for access to original, breaking news content. In order to provide this free service, we rely on advertisements. Please support our journalism by disabling your ad blocker for this website.