Full Breakdown
Former “That’s So Raven” Star Sentenced to 30-Month Federal Prison Term
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Former child actor Bobb'e J. Thompson was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand imposed the term in Sioux City, Iowa, and ordered an additional three-year period of supervised release. The sentence follows a guilty plea entered on April 28, 2026.
Background & Context
Thompson’s latest federal case stems from a traffic stop in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, in September 2025. Law enforcement reported that he was driving at 104 mph in a 70-mph zone, that he and a passenger switched seats as an officer approached, and that officers detected the odor of marijuana. A search of a backpack identified as Thompson’s uncovered multiple bags of dispensary-bought marijuana and a fully loaded .40-caliber handgun with a 15-round magazine and a round in the chamber. The firearm had been reported stolen from a vehicle in Kansas City, Missouri.
The actor’s criminal history includes two 2020 convictions—one for battery causing serious bodily injury and another for assault with force (possibly resulting in great bodily injury)—and a 2022 conviction for prohibited possession of a firearm. Those prior offenses rendered him a felon prohibited from possessing a firearm at the time of the September 2025 stop.
Legal Details & Penalties
- Prison term: 30 months in a federal facility.
- Supervised release: Three years following incarceration.
- Parole: Not available in the federal system.
- Custody: Thompson remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending transfer to a federal prison.
Official Statements & Responses
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa announced the sentencing, emphasizing that the firearm was stolen property and that Thompson’s status as a convicted felon made the possession a federal offense. Judge Strand, in sentencing remarks, highlighted the seriousness of possessing a loaded, stolen handgun while under the influence of marijuana and noted the defendant’s repeat criminal history as a factor in determining the length of the prison term.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ slightly on the enumeration of Thompson’s 2020 convictions. Some outlets list two separate convictions—battery with serious bodily injury and assault with force—while others combine them into a single “assault” charge. All sources agree on the 2022 prohibited firearm possession conviction and on the core facts of the September 2025 stop. No additional details have been released regarding the identity of the passenger or the specific dispensary from which the marijuana was purchased.
What’s Next
Thompson will be transferred from United States Marshals custody to a federal prison facility in the coming weeks. After completing his 30-month term, he will serve three years of supervised release under the conditions set by the court. No parole or early-release options are available under federal law.