Woman Sentenced for Role in Waterloo Firearm Theft

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A 30-year-old woman named Jena Lea Wells has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for her role in the theft of 15 firearms from a home in Waterloo, Iowa in June 2024. Wells pleaded guilty to possession of stolen firearms after acting as a lookout while her boyfriend stole the guns, which were later recovered by police during a traffic stop and subsequent searches.

Why it matters

Firearm thefts are a serious concern, as stolen guns can be used in other crimes and end up in the hands of dangerous individuals. This case highlights the work of federal and local law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting these types of property crimes.

The details

According to prosecutors, Wells was living in Waterloo in June 2024 when she and her boyfriend broke into an unoccupied home and stole 15 guns. Wells acted as a lookout while the firearms were taken, and later helped store them at her residence. Police later found several of the stolen guns in the boyfriend's backpack during a traffic stop on June 10, and recovered additional firearms during searches of Wells' home.

• In June 2024, Wells and her boyfriend stole 15 guns from a home in Waterloo.
• On June 10, 2024, Waterloo police found several of the stolen guns in the boyfriend's backpack during a traffic stop.
• On March 11, 2026, Wells was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison.

What’s next

Wells' boyfriend has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1, 2026.