Oelwein Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing 20 Guns

A northeast Iowa felon who possessed 20 firearms illegally has been sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison.

 Information at sentencing showed that, in August 2025, 65-year-old Timothy Parrish of Oelwein retrieved 20 firearms from a residence and began to drive home with them. Law enforcement initiated a traffic stop on Parrish’s vehicle, and officers found the guns.  

Parrish is a felon with convictions in state court for corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, false imprisonment, and driving under the influence.  Parrish also has a prior conviction for felon in possession of a firearm.

In March, Parrish pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Last week (08.11), Parrish was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams to 12 months and one day in federal prison.  

He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.

 Parrish was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on August 31st. 

 The case was investigated by the Oelwein Police Department.