Iowa City Man Accused of Illegally Buying Guns While Using Drugs

Mohamed Ali faces multiple charges for allegedly purchasing firearms while falsely claiming he was not a drug user.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A 22-year-old Iowa City man named Mohamed Ali is accused of illegally purchasing three firearms from a Coralville Scheels store over the past two years, despite allegedly being an active marijuana user at the time. Police claim they found evidence of drug use in Ali's home and on his person during a search warrant last month.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing challenges around gun control and background checks, as well as the potential dangers of individuals with substance abuse issues accessing firearms. It also raises questions about the enforcement of existing laws and the role of retailers in verifying customer eligibility.

The details

According to authorities, Ali purchased a Radical Firearms RF-15 .223 rifle in July 2024, a Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol in March 2025, and a Hellcat Pro-C 9mm pistol in March 2025. In each case, he allegedly marked on federal forms that he was not a drug user. However, a search of Ali's home last month reportedly uncovered evidence of marijuana use, including THC cartridges, oil, and drug paraphernalia.

  • Ali allegedly purchased the Radical Firearms RF-15 .223 rifle on July 13, 2024.
  • Ali allegedly purchased the Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol on March 5, 2025.
  • Ali allegedly purchased the Hellcat Pro-C 9mm pistol on March 15, 2025.
  • Police conducted a search warrant of Ali's residence last month.

The players

Mohamed Ali

A 22-year-old Iowa City resident accused of illegally purchasing three firearms from a Coralville Scheels store while allegedly being an active marijuana user.

Coralville Scheels

The sporting goods store where Ali allegedly purchased the three firearms.

Iowa City Police

The law enforcement agency that conducted a search warrant of Ali's residence and brought charges against him.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure that firearms do not fall into the wrong hands, especially those with substance abuse issues who may pose a risk to public safety.”

— Chief Michael Horton, Iowa City Police Department

What’s next

Ali is scheduled to appear in court next month, where a judge will determine if he will be allowed to post bail while awaiting trial on the multiple charges.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of robust background checks and enforcement to prevent individuals with drug use histories from illegally obtaining firearms, in order to protect public safety and uphold existing gun control laws.