Waterloo Woman Sentenced for Buying Guns for Teen Boyfriend

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A 24-year-old Waterloo woman was sentenced to one year in federal prison for purchasing a gun for her 17-year-old boyfriend, a convicted felon who later used the weapon to confront employees at her workplace.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of straw purchasing, where someone legally buys a firearm on behalf of another person who is prohibited from possessing one. Straw purchases are a common way that criminals obtain guns and can lead to serious consequences for both the buyer and the intended recipient.

The details

Arryel Waters pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm in September 2025. According to court documents, Waters first tried to buy a gun at a Cedar Falls business but was refused, as employees suspected she was purchasing it for someone else. She then went to a second Cedar Falls business and successfully purchased a Glock handgun, signing paperwork falsely stating she was buying it for herself. In November 2023, Waters was working as a delivery driver when employees made comments to her. She told her boyfriend, who went to the business and confronted the employees using the gun Waters had purchased for him.

• In July 2023, Waters purchased the gun for her 17-year-old boyfriend, who had a prior felony conviction.
• In November 2023, Waters' boyfriend used the gun she had purchased to confront employees at her workplace.
• In September 2025, Waters pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
• In 2026, Waters was sentenced to one year in federal prison and three years of supervised release.