14th Felony Conviction Lands Waterloo Man in Federal Prison

A northeast Iowa man, who possessed a firearm after 13 previous felony convictions, has been  sentenced to more than four years in federal prison.

Court documents show that, in February 2025, 44-year-old Chad James Wolf of Waterloo was harassing an ex‑girlfriend by showing up at her home, causing problems, refusing to leave, and repeatedly calling her. Law enforcement officers searched Wolf’s home and found a gun he had stolen from the ex‑girlfriend’s house. Officers also found items consistent with drug distribution.  

Prosecutors say Wolf had previously been convicted of twenty‑five crimes, thirteen of them felonies, including sexual abuse, going armed with intent, and failing to register as a sex offender three times.

In July 2025, Wolf pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  On February 27th, he was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams to 53 months in federal prison.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

 The case was investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.