Northern District of Iowa

A man who was convicted of robbing a particular bank in 2014, was sentenced today to more than five years in federal prison for -- again -- robbing the same bank.

Jonathan Bird-Necklace, age 32, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 26, 2024, guilty plea to bank robbery.

Evidence in the case revealed that Bird-Necklace was discharged from Iowa Department of Corrections on January 10, 2024, for the 2014 bank robbery.  13-days later, on January 23, 2024, Bird-Necklace entered a particular bank, passed a teller a note demanding $15,000, and threatening to shoot him if he raised the alarm.  Despite wearing a disguise, masking his movements, and briefly escaping, officers of the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department solved the robbery and apprehended Bird-Necklace within just hours of the crime.

Beyond his repeated bank robberies, Bird-Necklace has repeatedly committed other serious offenses, and violated the rules of the Iowa Department of Corrections while he was incarcerated.

Bird-Necklace was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 63 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Bird-Necklace is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by Sioux City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-4024.

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A San Diego man who was part of a drug trafficking organization was sentenced November 14, 2024 to 11 years in federal prison.

Adrian Ibarra-Manzo, age 29, from San Diego, California, received the prison term after a June 26, 2024, guilty plea to 1 count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.  

Ibarra-Manzo’s co-conspirator, Ramon Serrano, 31, of San Bernardino, California, is set to be sentenced on December 12, 2024, for 1 count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.

Evidence in the case revealed Ibarra-Manzo was part of a conspiracy based in Mexico and California that was responsible for distributing approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area.  

Ibarra-Manzo was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 132 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Ibarra-Manzo is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by the DEA Tri-State Drug Task Force and the Sioux City Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-4022.

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Jared Russell Rigdon, 38, from Waverly, Iowa, was sentenced November 13, 2024, to 30 years in federal prison.  On March 29, 2024, Rigdon pled guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of distribution of child pornography.

Evidence in the case showed that between January 2022, and March 22, 2023, Rigdon downloaded and distributed files of child pornography using BitTorrent, a peer-to-peer network, as well as Kik.  Rigdon admitted that he used a video chat application and a screen-recording application to record dozens of clearly prepubescent children from around the world, whom Rigdon would solicit to engage in sexual and lascivious acts.  Forensic review of his electronic devices discovered over 120,000 images of child sexual abuse materials.  The videos and images discovered involved material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct and included prepubescent children, infants, and toddlers.

Rigdon was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Rigdon was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Rigdon is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.  For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Urbandale Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-CR-02068.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

David Specketer, 57, from Emmetsburg, Iowa, pled guilty in federal court in Sioux City on November 14, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location.  Specketer was previously convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine in 2013. 

At the plea hearing, Specketer admitted that on April 15, 2024, while living in Emmetsburg, Iowa, law enforcement attempted to arrest him at his residence for an outstanding arrest warrant.  That warrant involved a pending 2022 case in Woodbury County for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.  Specketer attempted to flee back into his residence after initial contact with law enforcement at his door.  Law enforcement apprehended Specketer in his residence with approximately 1 ounce of methamphetamine.  At the hearing, Specketer admitted he intended to distribute all or some of the methamphetamine to another.  Specketer’s residence is within 1,000 feet of the Emmetsburg High School, a protected location.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Specketer remains in custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.  Specketer faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 80 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least eight years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Emmetsburg Police Department, Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-3024.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

Craig Carnell Pickens, age 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, evidence showed, law enforcement stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation.  Upon contacting the driver, law enforcement noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and asked the driver and Pickens, who was the passenger, to exit the vehicle.  Both occupants initially refused to exit.  Pickens eventually produced a glass jar of marijuana and a marijuana blunt from a backpack that was at his feet and provided it to law enforcement through the sunroof of the vehicle.  After numerous requests by law enforcement, Pickens eventually exited the vehicle and was arrested.  A search of the vehicle discovered multiple bags of methamphetamine totaling approximately 180 grams.  Methamphetamine was found in the backpack that was at Pickens’ feet as well as drug paraphernalia. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Pickens remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Pickens faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Garner Police Department and State of Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Narcotics Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-3032.

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Dominique Burow, 37, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on November 6, 2024, to 127 months’ imprisonment.  Burow pled guilty June 12, 2024, in federal court, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from January 2022 and February 2023, Burow and others distributed more than 6 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area.  Evidence also showed that twice in 2022, Burow distributed or aided another in the distribution of methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.  Burow admitted to obtaining at least nine pounds of meth from a number of sources to distribute in Sioux City, and to wiring drug proceeds to sources in Mexico and California.  She was also caught with ½ pound of methamphetamine while on pre-trial release for her original charges.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Burow was sentenced to 127 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of five years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Burow remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 23-4038.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute was sentenced today to more than 10 years in federal prison.

Jose L. Velez, Sr., age 39, from Omaha, Nebraska, received the prison term after a June 12, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute  methamphetamine.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, Velez admitted on or about February 23, 2024, he knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 14 pounds of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Velez, Sr. was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Velez, Sr. was sentenced to 126 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Velez, Sr. is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Clear Lake Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Mason City Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-03018.

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A man who possessed five firearms while being an illegal drug user was sentenced November 1, 2024, to more than one year in federal prison.

Jesse James Zeromski, age 25, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 10, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user.

At the guilty plea, Zeromski admitted he unlawfully possessed five firearms, including a revolver, two shotguns, and two rifles, while being an unlawful user of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine.  

Zeromski was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Zeromski was sentenced to twelve months’ and one day imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Zeromski is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-1008.

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A man who was stopped for speeding and found in possession of several firearms was sentenced November 1, 2024, to more than three years in federal prison.

Douglas Lynn Greer, age 41, from Fort Worth, Texas, received the prison term after a March 26, 2024, guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  At the guilty plea, Greer admitted he possessed four firearms in his car when he was stopped for speeding in Clayton, County, Iowa.  Greer had previously been convicted of the felony offenses of making terroristic threats and offering a forged check.

Greer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Greer was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Greer is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, the Clayton County Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-01002.

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A drug user who possessed firearms was sentenced November 1, 2024, to 37 months in federal prison.

Brittany Graham, age 37, of Mason City, Iowa, received the sentence after a June 3, 2024, guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms.  At the plea hearing, Graham admitted that, in August 2022, she possessed four handguns while she was an unlawful user of marijuana.  The evidence at sentencing showed that Graham had possessed seven handguns since 2018.  Other prohibited persons later possessed some of these guns, including a .357 magnum revolver that was seized from a felon in Chicago less than seven months after Graham purchased it.

Graham was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Graham was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.   

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mason City Police Department, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 23-3014.

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A Waterloo man who distributed a significant amount of cocaine and obtained a fraudulent loan was sentenced October 30, 2024, to twenty years in federal prison.  

Parrish Austin, age 40, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 13, 2024 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of wire fraud.            

Information disclosed at Austin’s sentencing hearing and previous related hearings showed that, beginning in late 2019 or early 2020, and continuing until October 5, 2022, Austin began distributing kilograms of cocaine every few months to Justin Cole in Waterloo.  Cole then worked with Tavarious Glasper, Chris Roby, and others to redistribute the cocaine.  In total, Austin was responsible for distributing at least ten kilograms of cocaine.  

Information disclosed at Austin’s plea and sentencing hearings also showed that, in May 2021, Austin fraudulently obtained into his bank account a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in the amount of $18,322 after a false and fraudulent PPP loan application was submitted with Austin’s signature.  In October 2021, after Austin had received the fraudulent PPP loan into his bank account, Austin applied for and obtained forgiveness of the PPP loan.  

Austin was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Austin was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment, and he was ordered to pay $18,322 in restitution.  He must also serve a five‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  

Twelve other individuals from Waterloo previously pled guilty to their involvement in the drug trafficking organization and/or PPP fraud:

• Kiesha Ann Morman was sentenced to 5 years’ probation and ordered to pay $19,835 in restitution on March 6, 2024, after she pled guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud.
• Tavarious Glasper was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on March 11, 2024, after he pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. 
• Chris Lee Roby was sentenced to 49 months’ imprisonment on March 12, 2024, after he pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Justin A. Cole was sentenced to 195 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $20,832 in restitution on March 13, 2024, after he had pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of PPP‑related wire fraud.
• Sheila Renee Cole was sentenced to 2 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $19,583 in restitution on April 10, 2024, after she plead guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud. 
• Shalla Scherrice Cole was sentenced to 7 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $20,415 in restitution on April 19, 2024, after she pled guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud. 
• Tia Lynette Cole‑Sykes was sentenced to 5 years’ probation and ordered to pay $19,790 in restitution on May 1, 2024, after she pled guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud. 
• Orenthal James Jones was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $20,832 in restitution on May 13, 2024, after he pled guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud. 
• Allure Shapree Roby was sentenced to 2 weeks’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $20,832 in restitution on June 20, 2024, after she pled guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud. 
• Ida Made Roby was sentenced to 3 years’ probation and ordered to pay $20,833 in restitution on July 2, 2024, after she pled guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud. 
• Stacy Antwanette Cole was sentenced to 5 years’ probation and ordered to pay $20,332 in restitution on July 19, 2024, after she pled guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud. 
• Reid Jonathan Geerts was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $19,166 in restitution on September 3, 2024, after he pled guilty to one count of PPP‑related wire fraud.  

Austin is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.  

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.  The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts.  For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; and the Iowa State Patrol.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23‑CR‑02057‑CJW.

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A man who received child pornography over the internet while in a residential facility for a prior child pornography charge was sentenced October 31, 2024, to 15 years in federal prison.

Brady David Salow, age 27, from Vinton, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 25, 2024 guilty plea to one count of receiving child pornography.

In a plea agreement, Salow admitted that he was convicted of four counts of possession of a depiction of a minor in a sex act in Dubuque County in 2019.  As a condition of his sentence in that case, he was residing at a residential facility in Vinton in 2023.  Per the rules of the facility, Salow was not permitted to have access to a phone or a computer.  Beginning in the summer of 2023, however, Salow repeatedly persuaded an employee at the facility to loan him her cellular phone under the pretense that he was going to use it for either looking up photos of celebrities or to listen to music.  By at least August 2023, Salow began receiving and downloading child pornography to the employee’s phone without the employee’s knowledge, saving downloaded images to a hidden folder on the phone.  In October 2023, a fellow resident alerted staff that Salow had been using a phone, and the staff member turned over her phone for examination.  A forensic examination of the phone revealed child pornography, and Salow admitted that he had downloaded child pornography to the phone.  Information presented at the sentencing hearing showed that authorities seized multiple notebooks authored by Salow containing lists of what he termed “sex jobs,” “child sex locations,” and “kid sex opportunities.” 

At the sentencing hearing, the Judge noted that Salow was “highly likely to reoffend” based on his history of possessing child pornography, his history of sexually abusing another individual, and the “clever” and “calculated” manner in which he committed this crime.

Salow was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Salow was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $9,000 in restitution.  He must also serve a 35-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

Salow is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23‑CR‑00089.

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A convicted felon who discharged a firearm into the air at a gas station in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in November 2023 was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison.

Zontavian Demetrius Bush, age 40, from Bloomington, Illinois, received the prison term after a March 27, 2024, guilty plea to possession of firearm by a felon.

At the guilty plea, Bush admitted possessing two firearms.  Evidence in the case showed that he discharged a firearm at a gas station during an altercation.  Bush has prior convictions for multiple felonies including a drug trafficking offense, multiple domestic offenses, and stalking offenses.

Bush was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Bush was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Bush is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force.  The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-cr-14.

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A woman who stole over $450,000 from a family‑owned business was sentenced October 30, 2024, to two years in federal prison.  

Leann Marie Rouse, age 51, from Toledo, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 31, 2024 guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.  

Evidence disclosed at the sentencing hearing showed that Rouse was hired as a bookkeeper in July 2011 for a trucking company in Traer, Iowa   .  As bookkeeper, Rouse had access to, and control of, the trucking company’s financial accounting software and she handled payroll.  From January 2015, through August 20, 2020, Rouse issued approximately 242 unauthorized checks to herself from the trucking company, stealing at least $453,672.68.  Rouse hid her fraud by using the trucking company’s financial accounting software to change the entries in the software to reflect that the unauthorized funds were business expenditures related to various entities that did business with the trucking company.  

Rouse was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Leonard T. Strand.  Rouse was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, and she was ordered to make $453,672.68 in restitution to the trucking company.  She must also serve a three‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.    

Rouse was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dillan Edwards and Devra Hake and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tama County Sheriff’s Office. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-CR-00023-LTS.

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A Waterloo man who displayed a firearm at others in a threatening manner was sentenced on October 28, 2024, to eight years in federal prison.  

Rodney Lavern Thein, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 30, 2024 guilty plea to one count of possession of firearms by a felon.            

Evidence disclosed at sentencing showed that, on July 13 and 14, 2023, Thein displayed a firearm in a threatening manner at people during confrontations over a trailer at Thein’s residence in Waterloo.  During the investigation into the confrontations, law enforcement officers searched Thein’s residence, and seized nine firearms.  Six of the firearms were loaded, and at least one of the firearms had been reported stolen.  At the time, Thein was prohibited from possessing firearms because he had previously been convicted of three felony offenses.

Thein was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Thein was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment, and he must serve a three‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Thein is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office; and the Waterloo Police Department.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23‑CR‑02074.

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Marcus Fair, 27, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, pled guilty October 30, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Evidence at the plea hearing showed that on September 21, 2022, law enforcement responded to a Humboldt, Iowa, residence for a report of domestic disturbance and animal cruelty.  After conducting interviews, law enforcement arrested Fair.  Officers were then led to a discarded backpack in a nearby woods.  Inside the bag were items that belonged to Fair, including a loaded Taurus G3C, 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, an extended magazine, and marijuana.  Fair admitted these items belonged to him, and that he used marijuana.  As a user of marijuana, Fair was prohibited from possessing firearms.   

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Fair remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Fair faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022.  The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-3042.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

Brandy Binneboese, 44, from Sioux City, Iowa was sentenced on October 25, 2024, after pleading guilty on June 7, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from January 2021 through June 2023, Binneboese participated in a conspiracy that distributed over 7 pounds of methamphetamine.  Evidence further showed that on three occasions in 2023 Binneboese participated in the distribution of ¼ and ½ pounds of methamphetamine as observed by law enforcement using an individual cooperating with law enforcement.  On June 1, 2023, just after one of the meth transactions was completed, Binneboese was stopped by law enforcement and found with ½ ounce of methamphetamine and $2,500 in pre-serialized buy money that had been used for the drug purchase moments earlier.     

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Binneboese was sentenced to 38 months’ imprisonment and must serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Binneboese remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.    

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-4042.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who fled from law enforcement while possessing methamphetamine was sentenced October 25, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.

Chad Hughes, 40, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on May 31, 2024, to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Hughes was previously convicted of a federal firearms offense in 2005, federal assault in 2010, and two federal escapes in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

At the plea and sentencing hearings evidence showed that Hughes possessed almost ½ pound of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others in Sioux City.  On June 24, 2023, when law enforcement attempted to stop the motorcycle Hughes was operating, he fled from law enforcement in a high-speed pursuit through cities of Sioux City, Iowa and North Sioux City, South Dakota.  During the pursuit Hughes ditched the motorcycle and a backpack to avoid apprehension.  Law enforcement seized the backpack which contained methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a BB gun, and other items which aided in the ultimate identification of Hughes. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Hughes was sentenced to 170 months’ imprisonment and must serve a five-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Hughes remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, North Sioux City, South Dakota, Police Department, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.    

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-4053.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who committed a drug trafficking offense was sentenced today to 96 months in federal prison for possessing large quantities of cocaine.

Andrew St. John Pratt, age 31, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 1, 2024 guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  During a search of Pratt’s home in Dubuque, officers located distribution quantities of cocaine, cash, drug scales, and a firearm.

Pratt was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Pratt was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Pratt is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin, and it was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 24-CR- 01010.

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United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Daniel Tvedt will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Tvedt has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of Iowa, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

United States Attorney Duax said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).   

United States Attorney Duax stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Tvedt will be on duty in the Cedar Rapids area while the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 319-363-6333.  AUSA Ron Timmons will be on duty in the Sioux City area and can be reached at 712-255-6011.”

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 402-493-8688.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

United States Attorney Duax said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

A man who possessed twenty-one firearms as a drug user was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.

Douglas Gilbert Uchytil, age 61, from Jesup, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 1, 2024, guilty plea to possession of firearms by a drug user.

Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that when law enforcement officers searched Uchytil’s residence on April 6, 2023, they found twenty-one firearms, over $25,000 in cash, and over half a pound of ice methamphetamine.  Uchytil possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.  He also admitted that he was a methamphetamine user.

Uchytil was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Uchytil was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Uchytil is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, and Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-CR-2056.

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Adam B. Smith, M.D., also known as “Adam Bryant,” has agreed to pay $198,755.42 to the United States and the State of Iowa to resolve allegations that he billed government health insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, for medically unnecessary procedures and for procedures more complicated than those he performed. The settlement resolves allegations brought by the United States and the State of Iowa in a Civil Complaint filed last May in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. The settlement amount was based on Smith’s ability to pay.

In its Complaint, the government alleged that, from August 2014 until August 2019, Smith was practicing as a plastic surgeon in Sioux City in association with Tri-State Specialists, L.L.P. During that time, the government alleged, Smith engaged in a scheme to overcharge government health care programs by falsely claiming that cosmetic procedures he performed were medically necessary and that the medically necessary procedures he billed for were more complicated (and more highly compensated) than what he performed. Cosmetic procedures are generally not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. To obtain federal payment for procedures that would not otherwise be covered, the government alleged Dr. Smith claimed he performed complicated hernia repair or tissue transfer procedures when he actually performed body contouring, tummy tucks, and cosmetic procedures to remove excess skin and fat.

The Complaint also contended that Smith submitted claims for more expensive wound repair procedures and office visits by claiming the wounds he repaired were larger, the procedures he performed were more complex, and the office visits were more thorough, than they actually were. This practice, known as “upcoding,” occurs when medical providers fraudulently overcharge insurers for more significant (and more expensive) procedures than they perform.

In February 2021, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement relating to a healthcare matter, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1035(a), in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. As part of his plea, Smith acknowledged that he had falsely described a cosmetic procedure as medically necessary and reimbursable by Medicare while he was practicing medicine in Traverse City, Michigan from May 2011 to January 2014. Smith voluntarily surrendered his South Dakota medical license in 2019 and his Iowa medical license in 2021.

The United States entered into a settlement agreement with Smith’s employer, Tri-State Specialists, LLP, in December 2021, resolving the same allegations for $612,501.44.         

“Government healthcare programs depend on the honesty and competency of healthcare providers. Our office will work tirelessly to pursue providers who break that trust and to recover dollars meant to benefit the American people,” said United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax.

“Holding health care professionals accountable for submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring critical resources are appropriately used,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our other law enforcement partners will continue to collaborate to protect the integrity of federal health care programs.”

“Today’s outcome demonstrates the collaboration among the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and its investigative partners to safeguard taxpayer dollars that fund programs like Tricare, the military’s healthcare system,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Settle of the DCIS Southwest Field Office. “As the criminal investigative arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General, DCIS is committed to investigating those who put the health of America’s warfighters and their families at risk.”

This civil matter arose from an action brought under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.

The claims asserted against Smith are allegations only; there was no determination or admission of liability.

The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon J. Gray and Brian J. Keogh and the State of Iowa Attorney General’s Office and investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the United States Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the State of Iowa’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  

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A man who was finishing his prison sentence at a residential reentry center for a 2020 escape and then escaped again in 2023 was sentenced on October 28, 2024, to more than two years in federal prison.

Caleb Lee Olson, age 49, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 15, 2024, guilty plea to one count of escape from Federal Bureau of Prisons custody on November 27, 2023.

At the guilty plea, Olson admitted that on November 27, 2023, he was completing his sentence for a 2020 escape in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons at Gerald R. Hinzman Center in Cedar Rapids when he left the facility without permission and did not return.  Olson was found in Marion, Iowa, and was arrested on December 5, 2023.    

Olson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Olson was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Olson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by United States Marshals Service and the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-00003.

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A man who possessed a firearm as un unlawful drug user was sentenced on October 22, 2024 to 2 years in federal prison.

Cory Allen More, age 33, from Manly, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 3, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user.

In a plea agreement, More admitted that on October 23, 2023, his vehicle ran out of gas in Clear Lake, Iowa.  A Clear Lake police officer saw More pull his vehicle over to the side of the road.  The officer made contact with More while he was outside of his vehicle near the engine bay where he had just opened the hood.  At that time, the officer observed 2 marijuana baggies with a green leafy substance on the ground between More’s feet and the officer’s feet.  The officer seized the two baggies which were found to contain marijuana.  More also had a handgun in a holster on his belt in plain view of the officer.  On October 27, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at More’s residence in Manly, Worth County, Iowa, and seized marijuana, scales, drug paraphernalia, and an additional 16 firearms and ammunition.    

More was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  More was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

More was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the Clear Lake Police Department, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Manly Police Department, Worth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigations Laboratory, and United States Marshal’s Service.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-03006.     

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Nicholas Janvrin, 32, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, to more than 13 years in federal prison.

Janvrin pled guilty March 27, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City to illegally possessing a firearm and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Janvrin was previously convicted of burglary, third degree, a felony, in the Iowa District Court for Hamilton County, which prohibits Janvrin from possessing any firearm. 

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on August 1, 2023, law enforcement was called to a local hotel in Webster City regarding a disturbance where they observed Janvrin, who was arrested for outstanding arrest warrants.  During a search of the hotel room, law enforcement seized a firearm (Smith & Wesson .22 revolver) and drug user/distribution paraphernalia from a bag in the room.  The Iowa DCI Criminalistics Laboratory matched DNA from a known sample of Janvrin to the handle of the firearm and a toothbrush.  Evidence further established Janvrin’s involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from January 2023 through August 2023.  Janvrin obtained more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine from a source in Des Moines to re-distribute to others in the Fort Dodge area.   

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Janvrin was sentenced to 160 months’ imprisonment and must serve a five-year term of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  Janvrin remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Webster City Police Department, the Fort Dodge Police Department, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-3026.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man with four prior felony convictions was convicted by a jury today, after a 3-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

Caleb Root, age 44, from Concord, Michigan, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance – marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance – methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  The verdict was returned this afternoon following about 3-hours of jury deliberations.

Evidence in the case revealed at about 3:00 am, on May 23, 2023, a uniformed police officer, of the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, on routine patrol in a marked police car saw a pickup truck, pulling a box trailer, driving toward him on Hamilton Blvd.  As the officer and the truck passed, the truck behaved suspiciously by: (1) the motorist changed course (by using a parking lot as a throughfare); (2) drove away from the officer; and (3) drove into a residential neighborhood in an attempt to lose the officer.  After observing the truck’s behavior, the Officer positioned himself, to observe the motorist’s travel.  The truck eventually exited the neighborhood and returned to its original line of travel.

The Officer initiated a traffic stop for using a parking lot as a throughfare.  The driver refused to roll the window down all the way to talk to the officer, then lied to the officer claiming he did not have an ID and could not remember his own birth date.

Eventually the driver identified himself as Caleb Root, and admitted lying to the officer, and to being a convicted felon.  At this time, law enforcement officers looked into the truck – from the outside – and, in plain view, saw marijuana. 

Root was arrested, the truck and trailer searched, and about 4 pounds of marijuana, a loaded shotgun, and more than 12 grams of pure methamphetamine were found inside.

Root was released from custody the next day, and on July 22, 2023, he was stopped for speeding in Adair County, Iowa.  Root was stopped for speeding, 90 in a 70-mph, upon approach, the officer detected the odor of marijuana.  Root again provided a false identification to the officer.  Further investigation led the officer to locate more than 1 pound of marijuana and 1 gram of methamphetamine.         

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Root remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Root faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, and 3-years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-4041.

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A man who possessed a firearm as a prohibited person pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Dashaune Terrell Burns-Johnson, age 31, from Charles City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  

At the plea hearing, Burns-Johnson admitted that, on May 22, 2024, in Charles City he knowingly possessed a Taurus G3c, 9x19 mm pistol.  At the time he possessed the gun, he knew that he had been convicted of a felony, domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury, second offense, and that he had been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, specifically, domestic abuse assault.   

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Burns-Johnson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Burns-Johnson faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Charles City Police Department.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 24-CR-2033.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who sold methamphetamine and unlawfully possessed a firearm was sentenced today to more than 14 years in federal prison.

Julius Anthony Montgomery, age 39, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 17, 2024 guilty plea to distribution of a controlled substance following a conviction for a prior serious drug felony.

Evidence at the sentencing hearing demonstrated that four times in January 2023, Montgomery sold methamphetamine.  On January 26, 2023, law enforcement officers searched his home in Cedar Rapids.  Montgomery, another adult, and six minor children were home at the time.  When Montgomery realized that law enforcement officers had arrived, he tried to escape out the upstairs window with a firearm.  Ultimately, he surrendered to officers.  Inside his house and car, officers found over seven pounds of ice methamphetamine, his firearm, and over $2,000 in drug proceeds.  Montgomery has prior federal felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school after having been convicted of a felony drug offense, and for possession of ammunition by a felon and drug user.  

Montgomery was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Montgomery was sentenced to 169 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Montgomery is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the United States Probation for the Northern District of Iowa.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-CR-44.

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A man with fifteen prior felony convictions who used a stolen motorcycle to drive from Minnesota to Iowa and broke into a Winneshiek County home to steal firearms and other items pled guilty on October 15, 2024, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Steven Michael Current, age 58, from Canton, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of possession of firearms as a felon and one count of interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle.

In a plea agreement, Current admitted that he had fifteen prior felony convictions, and on September 26, 2022, he broke into a rural Winneshiek County home and stole eight firearms.  Current also admitted that he drove a stolen 2004 Harley Davidson Motorcycle from Canton, Minnesota, to the burglary scene in Iowa on September 26, 2022.  This motorcycle was stolen from a home in Rochester, Minnesota, on June 9, 2022.  Current admitted that, during the burglary, he dropped two unscratched Minnesota lottery tickets from his pocket.  Current was identified by images captured on a home camera system, and by images from the Minnesota store where Current purchased the lottery tickets.      

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Current remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Current faces a possible maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and was investigated by Winneshiek County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office, Fillmore County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-CR-02050.

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Jermiah Preston, 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa was sentenced on October 9, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.  Preston pled guilty May 22, 2024, to distribution of methamphetamine.

In March 2017, Preston was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and distributing a controlled substance in the United States District Court in Northern District of Iowa.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on January 23, 2023, law enforcement, utilizing a confidential informant, set-up and conducted a 1.5 ounce controlled methamphetamine transaction from Preston.  During a traffic stop after the transaction, Preston was observed to throw two bags of methamphetamine out the window of the vehicle.  The controlled buy money expended was found on Preston’s person and DNA came back on each bag of methamphetamine matching Preston.  

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Preston was sentenced to 66 months’ imprisonment which was imposed consecutive to his 24-month sentence previously imposed on the revocation of his previous federal supervised release.  Preston must also serve a term of four years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Preston remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa DCI Laboratory, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Fort Dodge Police Department.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-3029.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who possessed a firearm as a prohibited person and possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute was sentenced October 11, 2024, to more than 8 years in federal prison.

Tirrell Harlan Hopkins, Jr., age 24, from Mason City, Iowa, received the prison term after a plea on May 3, 2024, to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

At the plea hearing Hopkins admitted that on November 18, 2023, in Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, he knowingly possessed a firearm, a Springfield Armory, Model: Saint, Caliber: 2.33 NATO, Type: Pistol.  At the time, Hopkins possessed the gun, he knew he was a user of illegal drugs, had been convicted of a felony, and convicted of a crime of domestic violence, all of which prohibited him from legally possessing a gun.  Hopkins also admitted that on or about November 18, 2023, in the Northern District of Iowa, he was in possession of methamphetamine, and intended to distribute some or all of the methamphetamine to another person.

Hopkins was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Hopkins was sentenced to 98 months. He must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Hopkins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the Mason City Police Department, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Laboratory, and the United States Marshal’s Service.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-03008.

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Victor Perez-Martinez, 24, from Hull, Iowa was sentenced on October 11, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.  Perez-Martinez pled guilty May 24, 2024, to seven counts, which included conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Perez-Martinez was involved in the distribution of sizable quantities of pure methamphetamine during four controlled drug purchases with law enforcement, some within 1000 feet of a protected location (totaling more than 264 grams of methamphetamine).  In October 2023, during a search warrant executed at Perez-Martinez’s residence, law enforcement seized: 329 grams of methamphetamine, two cellular telephones; various items of drug use and distribution paraphernalia; $4,267 in cash, and a .380 ACP pistol.  Evidence also showed that Perez-Martinez was involved in a conspiracy that distributed over 500 grams of methamphetamine to a number of individuals in the Spencer and Orange City, Iowa area.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Perez-Martinez was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of ten years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Perez-Martinez remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa DCI Laboratory, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer, Iowa Police Department, and the Iowa State Patrol.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-4067.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who received child pornography over the internet was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison.

Christopher Goins, age 47, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 13, 2024, guilty plea to one count of receiving child pornography.

In a plea agreement, Goins admitted that between December 2019 and December 2021, he knowingly received and downloaded photos and videos of child pornography, including depictions of minors under 12 years of age.  During a search of Goins’ home in December 2021, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized 33 storage devices containing over 600 images of child pornography.  In January 2024, following his arrest on federal child pornography charges, Goins said that additional child pornography would be found on his phone.  During a search of Goins’ home, FBI agents found child pornography on Goins’ laptop and additional storage devices which Goins had obtained after his home was searched in December 2021.

Goins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Goins was sentenced to 97 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $3,000 in restitution to a child victim depicted in videos and photos he possessed.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Goins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-06.

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A man who illegally possessed a firearm was convicted by a jury on October 10, 2024, after a three-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

Lennox Vanvacter, 31, was convicted of one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  The verdict was returned following about 7 hours of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that on July 30, 2023, law enforcement officers observed Vanvacter operating a motor vehicle.  Based on their observations and the fact Vanvacter had an active arrest warrant for a previous eluding charge, officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop and apprehend him.  When emergency lights/sirens were activated, Vanvacter engaged in a high-speed attempt (approximately 30 minutes in duration) to elude law enforcement, including speeds of 70 mph or more in Fort Dodge and 100 mph or more outside city limits in Webster County.  Two sets of spike strips deployed by officers ultimately stopped the vehicle.  Once stopped, Vanvacter attempted to flee from the officers on foot, through the passenger door, but was captured a short distance later.  Officers located a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, near the end of the vehicle’s flight path.  Later, officers determined by review of patrol car camera video, that the firearm was thrown from the vehicle at the end of the pursuit.   

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Vanvacter remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Vanvacter faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa DCI Laboratory, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-3037.  

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A Clayton County farmer who stole over $5 million in livestock and COVID-19 pandemic benefits was sentenced on October 10, 2024, to more than 15 years in federal prison.  Michael Wayne Butikofer, age 54, from Monona, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 1, 2023, guilty plea to one count of theft of livestock, one count of wire fraud, and one count of false bankruptcy declaration.

Evidence in the case established that Butikofer operated a large farming operation in northeast Iowa known as “Fawn Hollow.”  Butikofer operated a so-called “custom cattle” feeding operation in which employees of his organization would raise and care for cattle owned by other individuals, including cattle investors located across the United States.  Fawn Hollow then sold the cattle, primarily to a Wisconsin slaughterhouse.

At no time was Butikofer or “Fawn Hollow” registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) as a “dealer” under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (“the Act”).  Butikofer participated in the “H-2A” visa program and recruited agricultural workers from the Republic of South Africa to work at Fawn Hollow.  

Between July 2020 and February 2022, Butikofer converted the proceeds of sales of cattle owned by eight cattle investors, totaling over $2.5 million, to his own use.  Butikofer had convinced the cattle investors to allow Butikofer to sell the cattle in his own name.  When Butikofer sold the cattle to the Wisconsin slaughterhouse, Butikofer falsely represented to the slaughterhouse that he had “good and merchantable title to” the cattle when he did not, in fact, own or otherwise have title to the cattle.  By convincing the cattle investors to permit Butikofer to sell their cattle in his own name, and by fraudulently concealing the true ownership of the cattle from the slaughterhouse, Butikofer attempted to evade the requirements of the Act and its regulations for registration, posting of a dealer bond, and prompt payment, which would have protected the cattle investors’ funds.

In July 2020 and August 2020, Butikofer defrauded the USDA of more than $1.2 million in emergency assistance funds designed to assist livestock producers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Specifically, applications were submitted in the name of another individual and entitled “Coronavirus Food Assistance Program” (“CFAP”) payments.  A cattle producer qualified for CFAP payments on a per head basis based on the producer’s owned inventory of eligible beef cattle on a date selected by the producer between certain dates in calendar year 2020.  It was part of Butikofer’s wire fraud scheme that Butikofer falsely represented in CFAP applications that he and some of his associates owned cattle when, in truth, they did not own the cattle in question.

In February 2022, Butikofer received over $1.5 million from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) as part of an application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”). Butikofer made false representations to the SBA about his financial condition and intended use for the SBA loan funds.  Butikofer used part of the SBA funds to file for bankruptcy later that same month.

During the bankruptcy case, Butikofer perjured himself five times and made a series of false and fraudulent statements about his financial condition in bankruptcy filings.  In March 2022, Butikofer submitted a false and fraudulent statement of financial affairs in his bankruptcy case.  There were more than 100 creditors in Butikofer’s bankruptcy case, and Butikofer used the bankruptcy case to intentionally delay and hinder their legitimate collection efforts.  

In 2018, Butikofer used forced labor to financially benefit Fawn Hollow.  Butikofer dumped dead cattle near a house in which the H2-A workers lived on his farm.  The workers had no hot water or furniture, and their water was contaminated.  On one occasion, Butikofer assaulted one worker, grabbing the migrant worker by the shirt and pushing him towards a corn auger.  Butikofer also tied the hands of another South African H-2A worker with a cable tie to an electric jigsaw and threatened workers with hanging and an electric shock dog collar.  In 2020, three migrant workers obtained a $247,000 civil judgment against Butikofer in federal court for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Trafficking Victims Protective Reauthorization Act.  Butikofer later used his fraudulent bankruptcy proceeding to convince the workers to settle their judgment for $75,000.

From April 2023 to November 2023, while on federal pretrial release, Butikofer recruited and caused another person in the Fawn Hollow criminal organization to recruit H-2A workers to the United States under false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.  The false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises included: (1) the housing conditions provided to the employees; (2) the location of the employees’ work; (3) the terms and timing of reimbursement for the employees’ work and expenses; and (4) payment for injuries sustained during the employment.  For example, Butikofer convinced an H2-A worker from South Africa to come to the United States and bring his wife and teenaged daughter with him.  When the family arrived, however, Butikofer moved the family to live in a camper without water, electricity, or heat.  Ultimately, agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rescued the family and paid for their food and shelter at a hotel in Cedar Rapids.  Agents later rescued other workers bound for Fawn Hollow in April 2024. 

While Butikofer’s criminal case was pending, he repeatedly contacted witnesses in violation of a court order.  Butikofer also attempted to convince grand jury and trial witnesses to make false statements and sign false documents in attempts to obstruct justice.

Butikofer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  At the sentencing, Judge Williams observed that Butikofer was operating a “Ponzi” scheme with investor cattle.  Butikofer was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment.  Butikofer was ordered to make over $5.7 million in restitution, forfeit $500,000, and repay $5,000 in attorney fees.  Butikofer must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  As part of his plea agreement, Butikofer promised to pay the H-2A workers’ entire $247,000 judgment and also to voluntarily terminate and cease participation in foreign labor programs with respect to any program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor or U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Butikofer is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax stated, “Butikofer treated his victims and the rule of law with equal contempt, and fully deserves his fifteen-year sentence to federal prison.  This office will continue to aggressively prosecute people who defraud the government through the agricultural sector, the bankruptcy court, and by the mistreatment of foreign workers.”

“Michael Butikofer exploited the H-2A program in order to enrich himself at the expense of agricultural workers. Butikofer recruited H-2A workers from South Africa. Once the workers were in the United States, Butikofer used threats of force to compel them to work for him. This sentencing sends a clear message that those who abuse the H-2A program will be held accountable. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who exploit foreign labor certification programs,” said Casey Howard, Special Agent-in-Charge, Central Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

“This sentencing demonstrates the commitment to holding individuals accountable for defrauding government programs, especially those designed to provide critical relief during the pandemic,” said Brady Ipock, Special Agent in Charge of the SBA OIG’s Central Region. “Our office will continue to pursue justice for victims and ensure the integrity of SBA’s disaster relief programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their collaboration and dedication to justice.”

“The defendant in this case was held accountable for a number of serious fraudulent activities,” said Justin Bundy, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG).  “He converted more than $2.5 million through a cattle investment scam and used those funds to enrich himself, at the expense of unsuspecting victims. He also falsely represented his financial condition and the intended use for SBA loan funds and defrauded the USDA of more than $1.5 million in funds designed to assist livestock producers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Also egregious was his use of forced labor to financially benefit his business and his mistreatment of migrant works that he employed.  The FDIC OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice those who participate in fraudulent schemes and threaten to undermine the integrity of our Nation’s banking system and government programs intended to benefit the American people.”

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.  The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts.  For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 22-CR-1018.

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Megan Middaugh, age 38, from Marion, Iowa, has been charged with five counts of wire fraud.­  The charges are contained in an Indictment filed today in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids. 

The Indictment alleges that, beginning in about January 2020, and continuing until June 2023, Middaugh devised a scheme to defraud and to obtain the funds of a dependent person.  Middaugh used and misappropriated funds and assets from a dependent person’s bank accounts.  Middaugh had access to the bank accounts as a conservator and trustee.  She used the misappropriated funds for her own purposes and not for the benefit of the dependent person.  This included the alleged use of approximately $52,000 for online games through the gaming platform, Skillz, Inc.  The Indictment alleges five transfers of amounts between $100 and $500 to Skillz, Inc. between January 30, 2020, and January 22, 2021.  

If convicted on all charges, Middaugh faces a possible maximum sentence of 100 years’ imprisonment, a $1,250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.­

Middaugh’s first appearance in federal court in Cedar Rapids for arraignment is set for October 21, 2024. 

As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and was investigated by Marion Police Department. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-0089.

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Benito Curiel, 25, from Phoenix, Arizona, who had recently resided in South Sioux City, Nebraska, was sentenced on October 8, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa, to nearly nine years’ imprisonment.  Curiel pled guilty on March 20, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. 

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on May 17, 2023, Curiel was involved in an attempt to flee law enforcement.  Officers observed Curiel unconscious in his vehicle in South Sioux City, Nebraska.  Curiel ultimately was awoken and fled the area in his vehicle.  The pursuit, which reached speeds of approximately 90 miles per hour, crossed over the Veteran’s Bridge which connects Nebraska and Iowa.  At one point stop sticks were deployed, puncturing the two front tires of the vehicle, but Curiel continued to operate the vehicle through residential areas in Sioux City, Iowa, before eventually crashing into a retaining wall.  Law enforcement conducted a search of Curiel and found 437 fentanyl pills in his pocket. 

Curiel was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Curiel was sentenced to 105 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Curiel remains in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick T. Greenwood and Kevin Fletcher, and investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; Woodbury County Attorney’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 23-4044.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A Mason City man who sold pounds of methamphetamine and illegally possessed firearms in furtherance of his drug distribution, was sentenced today to more than 15 years in federal prison.

Andrew Lofton, age 48, of Mason City, received the prison term after a May 17, 2024, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings revealed that between January 2023, and continuing through April 2023, Lofton distributed approximately six pounds of methamphetamine.  On several occasions during this time, Lofton sold methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with the government.  On April 20, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lofton’s residence in Mason City and found drug distribution-related items, and multiple firearms.

Lofton was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 190 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Lofton is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-3013.  

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A Tama man who attacked his girlfriend was sentenced today to a little over two years in federal prison.   

Roeles Reyes Cavazos, age 29, from Tama, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 29, 2024, guilty plea to domestic abuse assault.  

Evidence at the plea hearing and sentencing showed that in August 2022, Cavazos repeatedly punched his girlfriend in the face and stomach.  She suffered significant injuries to one eye, her mouth, and stomach.  She was later transported to a local hospital because of her injuries.  Officers responded to Cavazos’ residence and found he was intoxicated.  When officers tried to arrest Cavazos, he resisted arrest and tried to head butt one of the officers.  Cavazos has over 30 criminal convictions, including multiple convictions involving battery, assault, and violating no contact orders.  

Cavazos was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Cavazos was sentenced to 25 months’ and 29 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Meskwaki Nation Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 24-CR-5.

Pamela Brownell, 64, from Des Moines, Iowa was sentenced on October 1, 2024 to 152 months in federal prison after a May 28, 2024, guilty plea in federal court in Sioux City, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings, showed that from September 2022 through October 2023, Brownell and others conspired to distribute more than 65 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Des Moines/Fort Dodge, Iowa areas.  In October 2023, law enforcement purchased 3 ounces and ½ pound of methamphetamine from Brownell in two controlled drug transactions.  In October 2023, a traffic stop of Brownell, followed by a search warrant at her residence resulted in the seizure of 2½ pounds of methamphetamine which she intended to distribute to others.  In 2006 Brownell was previously convicted in federal court of an attempt to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Brownell was sentenced to 152 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of eight-years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Brownell remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Polk, Hamilton, and Webster County Sheriffs’ Offices.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-3007.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who worked with others to sell large quantities of cocaine in Dubuque, Iowa, and was found with a firearm was sentenced today to more than 18 years in federal prison.

Silvester Jameral Durrah, age 40, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 12, 2024, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine near numerous parks and educational institutions, after being convicted of a serious violent felony, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

At the guilty plea, Durrah admitted he had sold at least 5 kilograms of cocaine in Dubuque between 2017 and April 2021, when law enforcement officers searched his house.  Durrah admitted his distributions occurred within 1000 feet of numerous parks and educational institutions in Dubuque, such as, Allison-Henderson Park, Gay Park, Jackson Park, Jefferson Park, Loras College, Madison Park, Marshall Elementary School, and the University of Dubuque.  Durrah also admitted he had previously been convicted of robbery in Dubuque in 2003.  Durrah also admitted he unlawfully possessed a firearm because had two prior felony convictions when he possessed a firearm on April 16, 2021, when the police searched his residence.

Durrah was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Durrah was sentenced to 222 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a 8-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  Additionally, Durrah was ordered to forfeit the firearms and over $3,000 in drug proceeds seized from him.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Durrah is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick J. Reinert and Nicole Nagin and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office and the Dubuque Drug Task Force, comprised of Dubuque Police Department, Dubuque Sheriff’s Office.   

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-CR-01013.

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A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced today to more than three months in federal prison.

Jorge Oswaldo Sajcap-Rodriguez, age 31, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Postville, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 10, 2024, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported. 

At the guilty plea, Sajcap-Rodriguez admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Sajcap-Rodriguez was previously deported in September 2015.  On June 10, 2024, immigration officials learned Sajcap-Rodriguez had illegally returned to the United States and found Sajcap-Rodriguez at the Allamakee County Jail following his arrest on state charges.  

Sajcap-Rodriguez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Sajcap-Rodriguez was sentenced to 108 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Sajcap-Rodriguez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-1020.

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A Waterloo man who possessed a loaded privately made firearm, also known as a “ghost gun,” and ammunition at a Waterloo high school football game was sentenced yesterday to nearly four years in prison. 

Dayton Amaru Shakur Bruce, age 20, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 4, 2024, guilty plea to possession of ammunition by a drug user.

Information disclosed during the plea and sentencing hearings revealed that, in August 2023, Waterloo police officers responded to Waterloo East High School after a fight broke out.  Officers observed Bruce in the crowd and attempted to contact him after learning he may be involved in the fight.  Bruce ran and officers chased him throughout the parking lot.  Along the way, Bruce threw a fully loaded “ghost gun” in the back of a pickup truck.  Bruce did not know the owner of the pickup truck.  Officers took Bruce into custody and located the gun in the pickup truck.  Bruce was under the influence of marijuana at the time and was a regular user of marijuana.  “Ghost guns” are guns which are often assembled from kits, do not contain serial numbers, and are sold without background checks, making them difficult to trace and easy to acquire by criminals.

At sentencing, the court also found that Bruce was involved in a shooting in June 2023.  During that incident, Bruce shot into a car hitting the victim in the back of the head.  The victim survived that incident. Bruce was later located by police and the gun used in that shooting was found nearby.

Bruce was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Bruce was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24gv-CR-2010.

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Timothy Mullally, 49, from Le Mars, Iowa, was sentenced September 25, 2024 to 66 months’ imprisonment.  Mullally pled guilty on May 16, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of prohibited person in possession of firearms.

At the plea and sentencing hearings evidence showed that between January 2022 through September 2022, Mullally and others distributed more than two kilograms of methamphetamine.  Evidence showed that on two occasions in August and September 2022 Mullally distributed more than 800 grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement.  During investigation of this matter, law enforcement and United States Postal Inspection Service interdicted a three-pound package of methamphetamine coming from California to Mullally’s house in September 2022.  During the investigation, including search warrants at Mullally’s properties and vehicles, law enforcement seized $5,830 and two firearms.  Mullally admitted to being a regular user of methamphetamine, and thereby was prohibited from possessing firearms.  

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Mullally was sentenced to 66 months’ imprisonment, $1,000 fine, and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Mullally remains in the custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.   

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 22-4083.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

On September 24, 2024, Richard Quintana, 24, from Dolliver, Iowa, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm.  Quintana pled guilty on May 23, 2024, to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that Quintana illegally purchased and possessed firearms on five occasions between 2021 and 2022.  Despite being a drug user, Quintana marked on his firearm purchasing forms that he was not.  As a drug user, defendant was prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms.  Three of the firearms Quintana purchased were later recovered by law enforcement as part of crimes committed by other individuals.  In December 2023, law enforcement observed Quintana driving a vehicle in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  As law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle Quintana was driving, he led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit through residential areas of Fort Dodge before ultimately stopping and being arrested.         

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Quintana was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and must serve a two-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Quintana remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and Fort Dodge, Iowa Police Department.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-3034.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

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A man who used a fraudulent social security card was sentenced today to four months in federal prison.

Sen Sequeira-Miranda, age 45, a citizen of Nicaragua residing in the Cresco, Iowa, area, received the prison term after a June 26, 2024, guilty plea to one count of unlawful use of an identification document and one count of misuse of a social security number.

At the guilty plea, Sequeira-Miranda admitted he used a fraudulent Social Security card bearing an alias name, to prove his authorization to work in the United States when he completed employment and tax forms in April 2024 at a business in Charles City, Iowa.  The number on the Social Security card was assigned to the person whose name was on the Social Security card. 

On January 11, 2024, Sequeira-Miranda was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol after he illegally entered the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas.  On February 8, 2024, defendant was released from immigration custody with a GPS ankle bracelet and ordered to report to immigration officials in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  GPS data appeared to show Sequeira-Miranda was working and ICE agents were able locate him at his place of employment in Charles City.  As an alien, Sequeira-Miranda was not authorized to work in the United States.  ICE officers were able to obtain copies of the fraudulent documents Sequeira-Miranda used from his employer, which included the fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent California ID card with his alias name and bearing his photo.

Sequeira-Miranda was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Sequeira-Miranda was sentenced to 125 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Sequeira-Miranda is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-CR-2022.

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A man who possessed a firearm as a felon was sentenced today to 57 months in federal prison.

Lawrence Lamar Newell, III, age 20, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 12, 2024 guilty plea to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon.  Newell had previously been convicted of burglary in the second degree and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

During a traffic stop, Newell, who was a passenger in a car, tried to run from police on foot.  Newell and a law enforcement officer struggled on the ground and Newell tried, multiple times to reach for a gun located in his waistband.  During the struggle, Newell retrieved the firearm from his waistband and continued to resist commands to drop the gun.

Newell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Newell was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Newell is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin, and it was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.

Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 24-CR-00007.

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Tyler Meriweather, age 24, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was sentenced on September 17, 2024, to 30 months’ imprisonment for illegally purchasing firearms for others.

Meriweather pled guilty on March 4, 2024, to the straw purchase of firearms.  Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Meriweather purchased multiple firearms from federal firearms licensed businesses in Iowa for individuals he knew were prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms, including a relative in California who is a felon.  After a firearm was recovered from a minor in Fort Dodge, investigators determined the firearm had originally been purchased by Meriweather.  Further investigation showed Meriweather purchased additional firearms.  When interviewed, Meriweather ultimately admitted to purchasing firearms on behalf of others who could not legally purchase them.  Additionally, Meriweather admitted to being a user of marijuana, despite denying it on his firearms purchasing forms.     

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Meriweather was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment and must serve a one-year term of supervised release following the term of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.   

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and Patrick Greenwood and was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and Fort Dodge Police Department.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-CR-03038.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Waterloo man who traveled to Mexico to acquire fentanyl was convicted by a jury today after a four‑day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids. 

Javoni Marcelius Butler, age 43, from Waterloo, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, one count of international money laundering, and one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.  The verdict was returned this morning following about forty minutes of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that, beginning in January 2022, and continuing until December 20, 2023, Butler traveled to Mexico on several occasions to acquire fentanyl.  During that time, Butler obtained over 10,000 pills containing fentanyl and a significant quantity of fentanyl powder.  After obtaining the fentanyl from his Mexican source of supply, Butler worked with several people in Waterloo, Iowa, to distribute the fentanyl.  On at least one occasion, Butler conducted an international wire transfer of drug proceeds.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Butler was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the verdict was returned and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Butler faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 100 years’ imprisonment, a $10,500,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson, and it was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and Homeland Security Investigations.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23‑CR‑02078‑CJW.

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On September 19, 2024, Ann Sulsberger, 49, from Red Oak, Iowa, was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.  

At the plea hearing on April 18, 2024, Sulsberger admitted that between April 2023 and May 2023, she and others conspired to distribute over a pound of methamphetamine in the Woodbury and Monona County areas.     

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Sulsberger was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment and must serve a term of four years supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Sulsberger remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Bureau of Indian Affairs, DEA Laboratory, Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.  

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 24-4002.  

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