Lang
8/17/19
A convicted felon has been arrested after posting photos and videos of himself using firearms.
35-year-old Darnell McConnell II was part of a drug investigation by Iowa City Police when officers received multiple reports that he was in possession of several pistols and rifles. The witnesses reported seeing McConnell with guns in person and on social media.
Investigators found photos and videos posted by McConnell in which he’s holding and firing the weapons. All the photos and videos were posted within the last two weeks. Further investigation determined that McConnell was storing the guns at his girlfriend’s house on Taylor Drive. A search warrant executed on the residence just after 3:45 Friday afternoon turned up four firearms, including one seen in the social media postings. McConnell admitted that his DNA and fingerprints would likely be found on the guns, as he routinely handled them in the neighborhood and at a gun range.
A second search warrant was then executed on McConnell’s Davis Street residence, which turned up live ammunition and gun accessories. Numerous illegal drugs were also found, including 50-100 ecstasy pills.
McConnell is charged with two counts of Dominion or Control of a Firearm By a Felon and one count each of a Controlled Substance Violation and a Drug Tax Stamp Violation. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 40 years in prison.
McConnell is prohibited from owning firearms due to prior violent crimes with firearms and domestic assault convictions, including in Chicago and Rock Island, Illinois. In June he was arrested for allegedly threatening his girlfriend via Facebook Messenger last February.