Northern District of Iowa

A Sioux City man who was selling methamphetamine around the Sioux City area was sentenced February 1, 2023, to more than 4 years in federal prison.

Matthew Antonovich, age 39, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 21, 2022, guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

In a plea agreement, Antonovich admitted to conspiring to sell methamphetamine around the Sioux City area.  Antonovich is a convicted felon and was unlawfully in possession of a short-barreled shotgun. 

Antonovich was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Antonovich was sentenced to 50 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.

Antonovich 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 Jack Lammers and investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Woodbury County Sherriff’s Department, Sioux City police Department, South Sioux City Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, the United States Postal Service, 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 21-4041.

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Chance Rebel Nielsen, 23, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on January 31, 2023, to being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition.  Nielsen was previously convicted of felony Going Armed with Intent, in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County, on October 15, 2021.  This conviction prohibits a person from possessing a firearm or ammunition. 

Evidence at the plea hearing showed that on August 29, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which defendant was a passenger.  During the stop, a Glock 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, and ammunition were found.  Further investigation showed that, on August 23, 2022, defendant was at Scheels in Sioux City where he was observed with a Glock 9mm in his waistband.  Defendant purchased ammunition from Scheels which matched the ammunition found in the vehicle.  Present in cell phone evidence seized in the investigation was a video showing defendant shooting a firearm at a gun range, and text messages discussing buying and selling firearms.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Nielsen remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Nielsen faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Le Mars 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 22-4077.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who orchestrated the shipment of hundreds of pounds of ice methamphetamine from California to Iowa pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

David Poitier Belton, age 37, from Compton, California, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of being a felon and drug user in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Belton, who was also known as “Blood,” admitted that he and others transported 30- to 60-pound shipments of ice methamphetamine from Los Angeles, California, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, between 2017 and March 2022.  Belton paid other individuals to transport the ice methamphetamine, typically in a vehicle that contained a specially made hidden compartment.  Once the ice methamphetamine arrived in Cedar Rapids, Belton or his associate would retrieve the methamphetamine and distribute it to other members of the organization for sale to customers.  In October 2020, the vehicle with the hidden compartment was searched by law enforcement while it was on a car hauler destined for Iowa.  Approximately 30 pounds of ice methamphetamine was found inside the hidden compartment.

In late 2021, the Cedar Rapids DEA conducted a wiretap investigation into Belton’s drug organization.  In February 2022, intercepted communications indicated that a shipment of 60 pounds of ice methamphetamine was going to be coming to Iowa from California.  Investigators tracked a courier driving a rental truck from Los Angeles to Nebraska, where the truck was stopped.  During a search of the cargo area of the truck, officers found a plastic tote containing 60 pounds of ice methamphetamine.

Following the seizure of the 60 pounds of ice methamphetamine, Belton continued to purchase additional methamphetamine from his source in California.  On February 27, 2022, Belton was intercepted speaking with Kiyonte Sowell, a relative of Belton’s in California.  Belton told Sowell that he was booking Sowell a flight, instructed Sowell to “pack you a big ass suitcase, you already know you ain’t going to stay for that many days” and then said, “You already know what the rest is so we gonna, I’m gonna book you out a ticket in the morning.”  The next day, Sowell went to the Los Angeles International Airport, taking a large roller bag with him through airport security as carry‑on luggage.  Airport security conducted an X‑ray of the roller bag and observed multiple bags of an unknown substance underneath the clothes inside the bag.  During a secondary search of the bag, security found five vacuum‑sealed bags containing ice methamphetamine.  Sowell admitted that the bag was his but said his brother had packed it.  When asked if he was aware of the contents of the bag he shrugged and said, “It looks like cocaine or meth, I don’t know.”  He then said he was going to Iowa, “but all I know is that I’m missing my flight and I’m going to jail.” 

On March 8, 2022, investigators searched Belton’s home in Cedar Rapids.  During the search, investigators located a small amount of cocaine and 15 guns.  Belton was a felon, having twice been convicted of felony burglary and once of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.  Belton was also prohibited from possessing guns because he was an unlawful user of marijuana.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Belton remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Belton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,250,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case 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 DEA Task Force in Cedar Rapids and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The DEA Task Force in Cedar Rapids consists of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.  The case 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 22‑CR‑39‑CJW‑MAR.

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A Sioux City man who was stopped with a semiautomatic rifle, a handgun-style BB gun, methamphetamine and marijuana, was sentenced January 31, 2023, to 9 years in federal prison.

Jo’Mario Smith, age 35, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 15, 2022, change of plea hearing.

Evidence in the case revealed Smith was unlawfully in possession of the firearm and ammunition on March 11, 2022.  Smith’s criminal possession was discovered during a traffic stop for several violations. Smith was the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle. Upon officer’s contact with Smith, the odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle and a K-9 positively indicated for illegal narcotics as well. 

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a semiautomatic rifle on the driver’s floorboard, near Smith’s feet, that had been spray painted to look like a toy. The barrel and stock had also been shortened.  The rifle had a 25-round banana-style high-capacity magazine fully seated with a round chambered. The magazine contained 11 additional rounds.  Officers also located a handgun-style BB gun, 4 separate plastic bags containing illegal drugs, and a live shotgun shell. Two of the four plastic bags contained a total of, roughly, 3.8 grams of crystalline substance, each of which field tested positive as methamphetamine. The two other bags contained 31.82 grams of methamphetamine and 33.99 grams of methamphetamine, respectively. Additionally, officers located a plastic bag containing roughly 3.5 grams of marijuana.

Smith has a lengthy criminal history beginning at the age of 17. His crimes include theft, domestic abuse/battery, resisting arrest, weapons, drugs, armed robbery/burglary, violence, and other dangerous conduct.

Smith was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 108 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.

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.

Smith 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 Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and was 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 22-04034.

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A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty January 26, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City.

Linda Fernandez, 69, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Fernandez admitted that between May 2022 and July 2022, she and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Sioux City area.  On July 15, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant on defendant’s apartment, and discovered approximately one pound of methamphetamine, drug distribution materials, marijuana, and over $3,300. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Fernandez remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Fernandez faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood 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 22-4055.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A woman who sold fentanyl to drug users in Dubuque was sentenced today to 28 months in federal prison.  Fallon Christina Murphy, age 25, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a November 30, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Evidence at prior hearings established that between March and June 2022, Murphy supplied heroin users in the Dubuque area with fentanyl.  Murphy and Jose Miguel Soto-Guzman, also charged in the case, regularly traveled to La Crosse, Wisconsin, to purchase fentanyl from Soto-Guzman’s source.  Murphy and Soto‑Guzman then sold the fentanyl around Dubuque.  Between March and June 2022, investigators conducted five controlled purchases from Soto‑Guzman and Murphy.  The drugs purchased contained fentanyl, but some of the fentanyl was mixed with heroin and some with methamphetamine.  After Soto‑Guzman’s arrest, Murphy continued to obtain fentanyl from the La Crosse source for distribution in Dubuque.  In late July 2022, Murphy traveled to La Crosse to purchase drugs, and upon her return to Dubuque, officers stopped the vehicle in which she was riding.  When the police stopped her vehicle, Murphy concealed the drugs inside her body to avoid detection.  Officers later recovered the drugs, which were determined to be nearly 10 grams of fentanyl.

Murphy was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  She was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

Soto-Guzman has not yet been sentenced.  He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 1 year in prison and a possible maximum sentence of 60 years’ imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of at least six years and up to life following any imprisonment.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham and was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force as part of the Northern Iowa Heroin Initiative. 

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

The case file number is 22-CR-1022.

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A Cedar Rapids man who shot a Marion man eight times in February 2021 was convicted by a jury on January 26, 2023, after a four‑day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Anthony Fisher, age 23, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of ammunition by a felon.  The verdict was returned yesterday evening after about two hours of jury deliberations. 

The evidence at trial showed that, on February 16, 2021, Fisher and two other men broke into a home in Marion with the intent of stealing money and possibly marijuana.  Immediately after the three men entered the residence, Fisher shot the victim eight times.  The three men, including Fisher, fled the scene.  Emergency personnel responded quickly and provided aid to the victim, who survived.  Law enforcement never recovered the firearm Fisher used to shoot the victim; however, the jury found Fisher unlawfully possessed the eight rounds of ammunition used to shoot the victim.  At the time of the shooting, Fisher was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was a felon.  Fisher had previously been convicted of interference with official acts – dangerous weapon, a felony offense, in state court in April 2020. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Fisher remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Fisher faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dillan Edwards and Tony Morfitt and was investigated by the Marion Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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.

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

The case file number is 22-CR-00013-LTS.

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James Conlan, 58, from Las Vegas, Nevada, pled guilty on January 25, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Conlan admitted that between January 2021 and December 2021, he and others were involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than a kilogram of methamphetamine.  Conlan further admitted that he shipped methamphetamine from Las Vegas, Nevada, via U.S. mail, to an address in Cherokee, Iowa. 

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood 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 Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, U.S. Postal Service, Department of Homeland Security, Iowa DCI Laboratory, Iowa State Patrol, Colorado State Patrol, and the Cherokee Iowa Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 22-4049.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Jamie Swanson, age 32, of Colona, Illinois, has been charged with being a felon in possession of firearms.  The charge is contained in an Indictment unsealed on January 19, 2023, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids. 

The Indictment alleges that, in March 2022, Swanson possessed three firearms after having been convicted of a felony.

If convicted, Swanson faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years on supervised release following any imprisonment.

Swanson appeared for a detention hearing today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond.  Swanson’s next appearance for trial is set for March 20, 2023.

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

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the Anamosa Police Department, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 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 22-100.

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A Cedar Falls man who kited checks in a bank fraud scheme was sentenced on January 24, 2023, to one year and one day in prison.  Nolan Otto DeWall, age 39, received the prison term after a June 7, 2022 guilty plea to one count of bank fraud.

Evidence at hearings in DeWall’s case established that DeWall was a manager and shareholder at a Black Hawk County grain cooperative.  DeWall also was a part owner of a trucking company based in Dike, Iowa.  In May 2018, DeWall devised a so-called “check kiting” scheme in which he transferred large amounts of funds by check during a short period of time between accounts of the grain cooperative and the trucking company, as well as other accounts.  The checks had no legitimate business purpose but were instead designed to falsely and temporarily inflate the balances of the accounts to benefit the grain cooperative, which was in financial distress.  DeWall also forged the signature of one of the partners in the trucking company on a check.  When the check-kiting scheme collapsed, the trucking company’s account was left with a negative $247,000 balance.  As a result, the trucking company had to sell all its assets and went defunct.  One of DeWall’s partners in the trucking business had to file for personal bankruptcy and another partner was forced to repay the trucking company’s negative bank balance at its bank with personal funds and a loan.

DeWall was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  DeWall was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $217,441.96 in restitution to his partners in the trucking business.  He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

DeWall 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 Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 22-CR-213.

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A man who made a false statement during the purchase of a firearm at a hardware store in Independence, Iowa, was sentenced January 23, 2023, to five years of supervised release.

Dallas Shannon, age 47, from Independence, Iowa, received the term of supervised release after a September 28, 2022 guilty plea to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

At the guilty plea, Shannon admitted that on or about February 14, 2022, he knowingly made a false representation of an ATF Form 447 in connection with the purchase of a firearm. Shannon knowingly stated that he was not an unlawful user of marijuana on the form. At the time he filled out the form, Shannon knew that he was an unlawful user of marijuana.

Shannon was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Shannon must serve a five-year term of supervised release and is now prohibited from possessing firearms.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by the Independence Police Department 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 22-CR-2038.

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A man who possessed a false identification document bearing someone else’s name and social security number was sentenced today to more than two months in federal prison.

Franklin Sosa-Jimenez, age 33, a citizen of Venezuela illegally present in the United States and residing in West Liberty, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 23, 2022, guilty plea to one count of unlawful possession of an identification document.

At the guilty plea, Sosa-Jimenez admitted he knowingly possessed a fraudulent Social Security card.  When Sosa-Jimenez was encountered by the United States Border Patrol in Texas on April 24, 2022, after illegally entering the United States, he was told to report to an Immigration Office near to his final destination.  When Sosa-Jimenez reported to the ICE office in Cedar Rapids on October 26, 2022, Sosa-Jimenez had his Venezuelan identification card bearing his true name and picture.  He also possessed a fraudulent Social Security Card and a fraudulent California identification card bearing someone else’s name.  These are the types of documents required to show authorization to work in the United States.  Illegal aliens are not authorized to work in the United States.  The social security card contained a social security number that was assigned to the name on the card, a real person.  The California identification card and an employee identification card for an Iowa business each bore Sosa-Jimenez’s picture.  Sosa-Jimenez also had partially completed employment paperwork including an Immigration Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form and state and federal W-4 tax forms, all in someone else’s name.

Sosa-Jimenez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Sosa-Jimenez was sentenced to 78 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.

Sosa-Jimenez 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 22-CR-0089.

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A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported four times was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison.

Elmer Noe-Rodriguez, age 46, a citizen of Honduras illegally present in the United States and residing in Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after an October 13, 2022, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.

At the guilty plea, Noe-Rodriguez admitted he had previously been deported and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Noe-Rodriguez was previously deported from the United States in November 2001, January 2013, April 2013, and September 2019.  On September 4, 2022, immigration officials learned Noe-Rodriguez had illegally returned to the United States and found Noe-Rodriguez at the Jones County Jail following his arrest on state charges.  Noe-Rodriguez has previous convictions for Operating while Intoxicated in 2008 in Minnesota, Sexual Assault and Assault Third Degree in 2012 in Colorado, Illegal Entry into the United States in 2013 in Texas, and Illegal Reentry into the United States in 2018 in Colorado.

Noe-Rodriguez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Noe-Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 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.

Noe-Rodriguez 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 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 22-CR-0076.

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A man who killed a taxi driver during a robbery on April 29, 2011, was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison.

Johnathan DeWayne Mitchell, age 44, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of robbery of the taxi, which was entered as trial commenced on August 29, 2022.  The maximum penalty for Mitchell’s crime was 20 years’ imprisonment.

Evidence admitted at the trial, before the plea was entered showed the driver died of multiple stab wounds she sustained during the robbery.  Additionally, the sentencing judge found evidence admitted at trial and sentencing showed Mitchell’s killing of the driver was premeditated, and intentionally done during the robbery, and Mitchell used the robbery proceeds to purchase crack cocaine.

Mitchell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Mitchell was sentenced to the statutory maximum sentence of 240 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $5000 in restitution to the owner of the cab and $24,663.10 to the Iowa Crime Victim Fund.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick Reinert and Dillan Edwards and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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

The case file number is 16-CR-00029-LTS.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Joe Ripka, 35, from Spencer, Iowa, was sentenced January 20, 2023, to over one year in federal prison.  On August 1, 2022, Ripka pled guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  Ripka was previously convicted of Failure to Affix Drug Stamp, in the Iowa District Court for Emmet County, on October 23, 2017.  This conviction prohibits Ripka from possessing a firearm. 

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on December 22, 2021, law enforcement stopped the vehicle Ripka was driving in Larrabee, Iowa, for driving without license plates.  During the stop, Ripka displayed signs of impairment.  A police K9 was deployed on the exterior of the car and indicated the presence of controlled substances within the vehicle, at which time Ripka stated there was a firearm in the car and acknowledged he was a felon.  Law enforcement uncovered a loaded .380 handgun in the driver’s door.  Later, upon inspection of the officer’s vehicle near where Ripka had been seated during the stop, the arresting officer located a pack of cigarettes wedged between the seats which contained 1 gram of methamphetamine. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Ripka was sentenced to 12 months’ and 1 day imprisonment and must serve a  3-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Ripka remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

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 Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee 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 22-4041. 

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Chad Moyle, 37, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced January 18, 2023, to 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography on September 7, 2022.  Moyle was additionally ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to the victims of the sexually exploitative materials he possessed.

At the hearing, evidence showed, and Moyle admitted to possessing over 1,600 images of child pornography from December 2018, through February 2019.  Moyle primarily utilized a smart phone and the instant messaging mobile app Kik to receive and possess the images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  These images included depictions involving prepubescent minors or minors who had not attained 12 years of age.

Moyle was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 132 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a term of supervised release after the prison term of at least 5 years, up to life.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Moyle remains in custody of the United States Marshal’s 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. 

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

The case file number is 22-4021.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Sioux City teacher pled guilty January 13, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City.

Andrew John Heller, age 39, from Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, was convicted of attempted enticement of a minor. 

The FBI and Sioux City Police Department were conducting an undercover investigation to identify subjects engaged in human trafficking in Sioux City, Iowa. As part of the operation, law enforcement posted an advertisement for sex services on a frequently used dating website.

Andrew Heller, a middle school teacher and high school baseball coach, contacted an undercover phone number, responding to an ad purporting to be from a 19-year-old female offering sexual services on the website in exchange for money.  What Heller did not know was that an undercover FBI agent was responding. The FBI agent immediately posed as a 14-year-old girl.  Heller agreed to pay $200 cash and bring some Trulys in exchange for sex with someone he thought was an underage female.  The meeting date was scheduled, and Heller showed up, as previously arranged, in his vehicle.  He was searched by police, who found the cash and Trulys, along with condoms.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Heller was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Heller faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sioux City Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 22-4059.

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A former human resources manager who stole over $95,000 from her employer and two state unemployment agencies was sentenced on January 11, 2023, to four months in federal prison.  Holly Marie Jacobi, formerly known as Holly Marie Bemis, of Epworth, Iowa, received the prison term after pleading guilty on July 20, 2022, to one count of wire fraud and two counts of theft of government funds.

In a plea agreement, and at her sentencing hearing, it was established that Jacobi was the human resources manager for a Peosta, Iowa, manufacturing company.   Between June 2019 and July 2020, Jacobi falsified payroll expenses and health care reimbursements in the names of ten employees and directed the company’s payroll system to wire over $65,000 in falsified payments to two bank accounts that she controlled.  Jacobi also filed a false and fraudulent application for federally funded COVID-19 unemployment insurance benefits with the State of Iowa.  Jacobi stated that she was unemployed from the company due to “[l]ayoff . . . lack of work,” when in truth she was still employed as the company’s human resources manager.  As a result, Jacobi received over $17,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits from the State of Iowa.  The company discovered Jacobi’s fraud and terminated her employment.

Jacobi also admitted that she later obtained and lost employment at a cheese company in Wisconsin.  After losing that second job, Jacobi applied for federally funded unemployment benefits from the State of Wisconsin.  Jacobi then obtained a job from a California-based company.  From May 2021 through October 2021, Jacobi falsely certified to the State of Wisconsin on weekly reporting forms that she had received no weekly wages when, in truth, she was receiving weekly wages totaling between $1,100 and $6,000 from the California-based company.  As a result, Jacobi fraudulently received more than $12,000 in federally funded unemployment benefits paid through the State of Wisconsin.  Jacobi previously pled guilty in 2001 to felony forgery and misdemeanor theft charges in Scott County, Iowa.       

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.

Jacobi was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Jacobi was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and four months’ home confinement.  Jacobi was also ordered to repay $6,000 in court-appointed attorney fees.  She was ordered to make $95,567.69 in restitution to her former employer and the States of Iowa and Wisconsin.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Jacobi 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 Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the Peosta Police Department and the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. 

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

The case file numbers are 22-CR-1008 and 22-CR-1026.

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An Evansdale nurse who stole pain medication from an elderly nursing home resident in Waterloo was sentenced on January 4, 2023, to federal prison.  Kelsey Ann Baxter, age 33, received the prison term after a July 19, 2022 guilty plea to one count of acquiring a controlled substance by means of misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge. 

In a plea agreement, Baxter admitted she was working at a Waterloo nursing home as a licensed practical nurse in the State of Iowa.  In April 2021, Baxter was caught stealing and consuming two morphine pills that were intended for an elderly resident of the nursing home.  The nursing home investigated and discovered that Baxter had diverted 43 morphine pills to her own use over a two-week period in April 2021.  The elderly resident of the nursing home, who suffered pain from physical ailments, indicated that she had not received pain medication even though Baxter had documented in the elderly resident’s handwritten and electronic medical records that the resident had received the pain medication.  The nursing home terminated Baxter’s employment after she tested positive for opiates without having a prescription for them.  The nursing home had previously suspected Baxter of drug diversion as she was noticeably slurring her speech and disoriented while on the job.  Baxter admitted she falsified the elderly nursing home resident’s physical and electronic medical records and the nursing home’s narcotics logs.

While this case was pending, Baxter repeatedly violated the terms of her pretrial release.  Ultimately, a federal judge ordered Baxter confined in her home while awaiting her sentencing hearing, because she repeatedly used controlled substances while on pretrial release.  In July 2022, Baxter was convicted in state court of making a false report to law enforcement before she was charged in federal court.

Baxter was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Baxter was sentenced to one month imprisonment.  She must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Baxter also agreed to forfeit her State of Iowa nursing license to the United States.

In 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa was selected as one of 10 districts in the nation to form an Elder Justice Task Force (http://go.usa.gov/cSngj). The task force was assembled to foster a collaborative working relationship among all levels of government officials, advocacy groups for the elderly and the disabled, and others charged with the care and protection for these vulnerable groups. The goals include ensuring the integrity of all government expenditures by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse in health programs, and protecting some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens from harm, whether it occurs in nursing homes or other institutions or involves financial fraud schemes. To learn more about the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, visit: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/.

Baxter 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 Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. 

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

The case file number is 22-CR-2040.

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Kailey Olson, 30, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty January 12, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Olson admitted that from December 2020 through April 2021, she and others distributed more than 12 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. Olson was an interstate transporter of substantial quantities of methamphetamine and cash in a Texas-based methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. The conspiracy included the importation of liquid (for lab-based methamphetamine conversion) plus traditional vehicle transport of drugs from Texas to Iowa and bulk transport of money to Texas in payment for the drugs. 

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

The case is being 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 21-4067.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Sioux City man who threatened two women by pointing a loaded gun at them, thereby alarming other pub patrons, was sentenced today to more than 4 years in federal prison.

Luis Gomez, age 37, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 1, 2022, change of plea hearing.

Evidence in the case revealed Gomez was a drug user and felon in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition on December 9, 2021. Gomez’s criminal possession of a firearm was discovered when he threatened two patrons at a Sioux City, Iowa bar by pointing a loaded gun at them, threatening to shoot them, and saying, among other things, "I'm going to air this place out." When the police were called, Gomez and another person, fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

While driving, Gomez repeatedly instructed the passenger to throw the weapon out of the window. Officers observed an object thrown out of the passenger side window during the chase. Officers deployed stop sticks which ultimately ended the pursuit. A firearm and a magazine were separately recovered from the path of the chase. The firearm contained 7 live rounds. Marijuana and other ammunition were also found in the car and/or on Gomez.

Gomez has a lengthy criminal history.   He has committed over 34 offenses.  His crimes include threats, weapons, drugs, violence, and other dangerous conduct.

Gomez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 49 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.

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.

Gomez 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 Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and was 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 22-04012.

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Marcus Urelius, 36, from Farnhamville, Iowa, plead guilty January 10, 2023, in federal court to Possession of Child Pornography.

In a plea agreement, Urelius admitted that between April 2021, and January 2022, he used an Internet-based, peer-to-peer (P2P) network known as “Freenet” to knowingly receive and attempt to receive visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  He further admitted to using the network to share child pornography with others.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set for a later date after a presentence report is prepared.  Urelius remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Urelius faces a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of not more than $250,000, a mandatory special assessment of $100 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years to life.

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 FBI 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 22-3017.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Cedar Rapids man that maintained residences in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the purpose of distributing controlled substances was sentenced January 12, 2023, to 20 years in federal prison. 

Corey Lamar Cullar, Sr., age 44, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 17, 2022 guilty plea to one count of maintaining a drug‑involved premises.             

Evidence at sentencing showed that, in February 2016, Cullar was released from federal prison.  Starting in the fall of 2017, and continuing until his arrest in August 2021, Cullar rented a series of residences in Cedar Rapids to be used to distribute controlled substances.  Cullar and his associates, including family members, distributed marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, and ecstasy pills from these residences.  Cullar involved minors in the distribution of controlled substances, including his children; he exercised a leadership role over several individuals; and he possessed firearms and provided them to others.  Cullar obstructed justice by intimidating or attempting to intimidate a witness during his prosecution. 

Cullar was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Cullar was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment, which is the statutory maximum sentence allowed for his offense, and he must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Cullar 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, 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 21-CR-00052-CJW.

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An Iowa woman was arrested today in Sioux City for her role in an alleged voter fraud scheme during the Iowa 2020 primary and general elections.

Kim Phuong Taylor, 49, of Sioux City, made her initial court appearance today. According to court documents, Taylor allegedly perpetrated a scheme to generate votes in the primary election in June 2020, when her husband was an unsuccessful candidate for Iowa’s 4th U.S. Congressional District, and subsequently in the 2020 general election, when her husband was a successful candidate for Woodbury County Supervisor. Taylor allegedly submitted or caused others to submit dozens of voter registrations, absentee ballot request forms, and absentee ballots containing false information. For example, although these documents required the signer to affirm that he or she was the person named in them, Taylor signed them for voters without their permission and told others that they could sign on behalf of relatives who were not present.

Taylor is charged by indictment with 26 counts of providing false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration, and 23 counts of fraudulent voting. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Timothy T. Duax for the Northern District of Iowa, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office, and Acting Inspector in Charge Brad Mahs of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Denver Division made the announcement.

The FBI Omaha Field Office and USPIS Denver Division are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Richard B. Evans of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Timmons for the Northern District of Iowa are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

An unlawful user of drugs who possessed four guns was sentenced today to more than seven years in federal prison.

Shamar Robertson, age 20, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 18, 2022 guilty plea to one count of being an unlawful user of drugs in possession of firearms.

Information at the sentencing showed that, between April 2020 and February 2021, Robertson posted dozens of videos on social media showing him with what appeared to be guns and marijuana.  On February 26, 2021, law enforcement officers searched the home where Robertson lived in Waterloo.  During the search, the officers found four guns that had Robertson’s DNA on them.  The guns consisted of three handguns, two of which had partially obliterated serial numbers, and one semiautomatic rifle.  Three of the guns were loaded.  Officers also found a distribution quantity of marijuana in Robertson’s bedroom.

Robertson was charged in federal court and was scheduled to appear for a court hearing on April 13, 2022.  However, he did not appear for the hearing.  Robertson remained on the lam until he was arrested on June 21, 2022.  At the time of his arrest, Robertson was in a car with other individuals.  Officers found a gun in the car and Robertson was in possession of marijuana.  Because of his failure to appear and having his whereabouts unknown for over two months, the District Court found Robertson had obstructed justice, which increased his sentence.

Robertson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda Reade.  Robertson was sentenced to 87 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.

Robertson 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 Lisa Williams and Anthony Morfitt and investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 21-cr-2054.

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A man who attempted to evade police on foot and resisted arrest was sentenced on December 20, 2022, to 5 years in federal prison.

Malik Rimmer, 26, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 21, 2022, guilty plea to one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

Evidence in the case showed on or about April 3, 2022, a Sioux City Police Officer observed a vehicle with a license plate that expired in January 2022. The officer initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle, driven by Rimmer, refused to yield.

Rimmer took off at a high rate of speed and struck a curb in his attempt to flee, disabling his vehicle.  Rimmer exited the vehicle and fled on foot. An officer drove his police vehicle in an attempt to cut off Rimmer, and could see Rimmer was holding a black object in his hand.  Rimmer, still on foot, turned around and ran back toward his vehicle. The officer exited his police vehicle and gave Rimmer multiple commands to get on the ground. Rimmer refused to obey these orders and fought with officers.  He was ultimately taken into custody.

Officers observed a black Taurus G3 pistol laying in the grass on the path Rimmer had fled. The firearm was listed as stolen at the time.

Rimmer was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 60 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.  Rimmer is being held in the custody of the United States Marshal’s until he can be transported to a federal prison.

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 investigated by the 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 22-CR-04035.

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A man who conspired to distribute heroin was sentenced on January 10, 2023, to two years in federal prison.

Taylor James Leyden, age 30, from Riverside, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 5, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

At the guilty plea, Leyden admitted he conspired with others to distribute heroin.  Evidence at prior hearings and information presented at the sentencing hearing showed that, in 2021, the Cedar Rapids DEA conducted a wiretap investigation of several heroin and fentanyl traffickers in the Cedar Rapids area.  In March 2021, based on intercepted communications from the wiretap, the vehicle in which Leyden was riding was stopped by police.  During a search of the vehicle, Leyden was found in possession of over 10 grams of a mixture containing heroin, fentanyl, and synthetic opioids acetyl fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and metonitazene.  About two months later, Leyden was again stopped by law enforcement and found in possession of approximately 3.5 grams of a substance that contained heroin, fentanyl, and metonitazene.

Seven other individuals, Cody Scott Deklotz, Andrew James Lehman, Ryan Rick Schlitter, Melinda Salvatora Werning, Jerry Dwayne Banghart, Thomas Nathaniel May, and Demeco Demon Irvin previously pled guilty to the heroin conspiracy and have been sentenced.  Ryan Rick Schlitter was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  Andrew James Lehman was sentenced to 10 months and 16 days’ imprisonment.  Cody Scott Deklotz was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment.  Melinda Salvatora Werning was sentenced to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment.  Jerry Dwayne Banghart was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  Thomas Nathaniel May was sentenced to 31 months’ imprisonment.  Demeco Demon Irvin was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment. Two other individuals charged in the same indictment, including Brian Jarrell Dennis, have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

Leyden was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Leyden was sentenced to 24 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.

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

The case 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 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was 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 21‑CR‑32‑CJW.

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A woman who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced January 11, 2023, to more than two months in federal prison.

Lourdes Tetzoyotl-Quiahua, age 33, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Ridgeway, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 17, 2022, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.

At the guilty plea, Tetzoyotl-Quiahua admitted she had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Tetzoyotl-Quiahua was previously deported in November 2009 following her conviction in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona for illegal entry into the United States, a misdemeanor.  She had also been returned to Mexico by immigration officials in September and October 2009.  Employment records show that by early January 2010, Tetzoyotl-Quiahua was illegally working in Iowa.  On October 20, 2022, immigration officials learned Tetzoyotl-Quiahua had illegally returned to the United States and found her at her residence in Ridgeway. 

Tetzoyotl-Quiahua was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Tetzoyotl-Quiahua was sentenced to 79 days’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Tetzoyotl-Quiahua, having completed her sentence, was released to begin serving her term of supervised release.

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 22-CR-2061.

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A Waterloo man involved in a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization was sentenced on January 6, 2023, to 29 years in federal prison. 

Anthony Howard Amundson, age 40, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 3, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.    

Evidence at sentencing showed that, from 2017 to January 2020, Amundson was a member of a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization that was distributing methamphetamine in the Waterloo, Iowa area.  Amundson was in and out of state custody during that time period; however, when in the community, Amundson distributed several kilograms of methamphetamine imported from Mexico.  Amundson was intercepted on a wiretap communicating directly with the Mexico‑based source of supply.  Amundson exercised a leadership role over another member of the drug trafficking organization. 

Amundson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Amundson was sentenced to 348 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Amundson 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 Ashley Corkery and Dillan Edwards.  This case 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 Mid-Iowa Task Force (Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Marshalltown Police Department), Iowa National Guard and Counter Drug Program, Tri-County Task Force (Cedar Falls Police Department, Waterloo Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, 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 20-CR-02034.

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A man who walked out of a residential reentry center in Sioux City was sentenced on January 6, 2023, to more than one year in federal prison.

Paul Marvin Cooper, age 25, from Sioux City, received the prison term after an October 14, 2022, guilty plea to one count of escape from federal custody.

In a plea agreement, Cooper admitted that he knowingly escaped from custody of Dismas Charities Residential Reentry Center in Sioux City, Iowa, where he was lawfully confined by virtue of a conviction for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance in the District of South Dakota. 

On July 7, 2022, Cooper signed out of Dismas Charities to attend a treatment program in downtown Sioux City.  At approximately 6:20 p.m. on July 7th, Dismas was alerted of a tampering alarm on Cooper’s GPS device along with its location.  Dismas staff tried contacting Cooper’s personal phone several times but there was no answer.  The GPS was later located in the trash at a retail store on Floyd Boulevard in Sioux City and appeared to have been cut off.  Cooper’s whereabouts were unknown until he was arrested on July 12, 2022, by the United States Marshals Service at a retail store located on Pierce Street in Sioux City.

Cooper was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Cook was sentenced to 12 months’ and one-day imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Cooper 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 Kevin C. Fletcher and investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service.   

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 22-CR-4056.

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A man who distributed methamphetamine out of his residence, conspired to have a government witness assaulted, and sexually abused multiple women was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.

Justin Michael Buehler, age 39, from Oelwein, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 9, 2022 jury verdict finding him guilty of two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

The evidence at trial showed that Buehler distributed methamphetamine to an employee at his workplace.  In January 2019, law enforcement agents coordinated with the employee to set up two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Buehler’s home.  The agents surveilled both purchases.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  At sentencing, the Court found Buehler obstructed justice by conspiring with his cell mates to have one of the government’s witnesses physically assaulted before trial.  The Court also found that two witnesses credibly testified that Buehler convinced them to come to his residence, provided substances to them, and sexually assaulted them multiple times.

The Court credited Buehler with at least 15 adult criminal convictions and found he qualified as a career offender under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.

Buehler was sentenced to serve 360 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 6-year term of supervised release following his term of incarceration.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Buehler remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Dorval Norwood and Pat Reinert.  The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

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

The case file number is 21-CR-2006.

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A Cedar Rapids nurse who diverted narcotics to her own use at four major Eastern Iowa health care providers, including three hospitals, in less than two years, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.  Sarah Jean Moses, age 43, received the prison term after pleading guilty in 2021 and 2022 in three separate federal criminal cases to five felonies, namely, one count of tampering with a consumer product, one count of false statements relating to health care matters, one count of violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), one count of obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge, and one count of theft of government funds.

In a plea agreement, and at other hearings in the three cases, the evidence showed that, in 2006, the State of Iowa issued a registered nursing license to Moses.  Between 2017 and 2019, Moses acquired various controlled substances from her employers, including opioids such as hydromorphone (also known by the trade name “Dilaudid”), morphine, and oxycodone.  To do so, Moses secretly tampered with the vials of the controlled substances, replacing the pain medication with saline and restocking the tampered-with vials into a secure drug dispensing machine that the hospital’s doctors and nurses used.  To find out which of her employers’ patients were supposed to receive the pain medication, Moses engaged in an illegal practice known as “patient combing,” in which Moses used her access to her employers’ computers to examine private patient records.  Moses also made false and fictitious statements to her employers and in patient records to cover up her scheme.

Specifically, in September 2017, during her first month working in the emergency room of a Cedar Rapids hospital, Moses accessed a secure drug dispensing machine that contained hydromorphone vials.  The hydromorphone was intended for emergency room patients who were suffering pain.  Moses also viewed 7 patient records without lawful authority at the Cedar Rapids hospital.  After the hospital discovered six tampered-with vials in the machine, the hospital terminated Moses’s employment and reported her conduct to the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON).

In March 2018, during her first month working for a major local home health care company, Moses was assigned to care for an elderly resident of a Marion assisted living facility.  A doctor had prescribed the resident oxycodone for leg pain.  Without the knowledge of her employer, and against the employer’s policies, Moses offered to pick up the resident’s oxycodone from a nearby major grocery store pharmacy chain.  Moses picked up the pain medication from the pharmacy but, instead of delivering the oxycodone to the patient, Moses diverted 56 oxycodone pills to herself and made a false entry in the patient’s medical record.  The home health care company immediately suspended Moses’s employment and reported her conduct to IBON.  Moses never returned to work at the home health care company.  As a result of Moses’s conduct, the pharmacy changed its policy regarding verifying the identity of persons who pick up prescription medications for others.

Between September 2018 and November 2018, Moses worked at an Iowa City hospital.  Moses continued her scheme to tamper and divert controlled substances at the Iowa City hospital and, in doing so, illegally accessed 64 patient files.  Just as she had done at the Cedar Rapids hospital in September 2017, Moses removed the caps from vials of hydromorphone and then carefully punctured the vials with the needles and drew out the hydromorphone. Moses then refilled the vials with saline to make the vials appear as if they still contained hydromorphone. Moses also carefully replaced the caps of the vials to make it appear as if the vials were undisturbed, when, in truth, these consumer products no longer contained their declared values of hydromorphone. In this way, Moses made it appear as if the vials remained new, unopened, and filled with the controlled substance on their respective labels, that is, hydromorphone, when, in, truth, Moses had diverted some or all of the hydromorphone in the vials to herself. Moses then placed the tampered vials back in the dispensing machine.  Moses admitted that she acted with reckless disregard for the risk that another person would be placed in danger of bodily injury and under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to such risk.  In November 2018, the Iowa City hospital terminated Moses’s employment and reported her to IBON.

Between January and March 2019, Moses worked as a nurse for another hospital in Iowa City.  Moses continued her scheme to tamper and divert at this hospital and, during the entire term of her employment there, stole hydromorphone, morphine, and oxycodone.  Moses illegally accessed 17 patient files at this hospital, which determined Moses was “patient combing.”  In March 2019, this third hospital terminated Moses’s employment.

Moses later found a job working as a paraprofessional for a child.  Between April and August 2020, Moses stole over $6,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits from the State of Iowa by underreporting her wages from the employment.  The federal government had appropriated the unemployment funds under the CARES Act of 2020 on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moses was detained before her sentencing after a U.S. Magistrate Judge found that she repeatedly violated the terms of her pretrial release conditions.  While on pretrial release, Moses used methamphetamine, failed to participate in drug testing and treatment, and possessed an assault rifle.  Between August and October 2021, while on pretrial release, Moses was caught shoplifting at the same Cedar Rapids big-box department store chain on six separate occasions.  Moses fled from the courthouse in a car after her probation officer informed her there was a warrant outstanding for her arrest for her pretrial release violations.  A deputy U.S. Marshal ultimately gave chase and apprehended Moses not far from the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids.  Moses has prior convictions in state court for shoplifting and drunk driving.

Moses was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Moses was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  She was ordered to make over $6,000 in restitution to the State of Iowa. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  At the sentencing hearing, Judge Williams observed that Moses’s case was one of the worst cases of narcotics theft by a health care professional he had seen and characterized Moses’s conduct on pretrial release as “abysmal.”

United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax stated, “Sarah Moses’s conduct was egregious.  She placed the patients of three of Eastern Iowa’s major hospitals and a home health care provider at serious risk of harm when she replaced needed pain medications with saline.  Her sentence is well-deserved and hopefully will deter others who would be tempted to steal narcotics from their employers and patients.”

“Patients rely on the knowledge that they will receive FDA-approved medications to manage their conditions,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “When health care professionals tamper with those needed medications, we will pursue and bring them to justice.” 

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.

Moses is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy L. Vavricek and Jason Norwood, Assistant United States Attorney Clifford Cronk of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, and investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General

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

The case file numbers are 21-CR-19, 21-CR-47, and 22-CR-56.

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Jesse Chavez, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on January 4, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City, to 180 months’ imprisonment.

Chavez pled guilty June 28, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  In 2015, Chavez was convicted of possession with intent to deliver drugs in Iowa District Court for Woodbury County.

At the hearings, evidence showed that between September 2021 and December 2021, Chavez was involved in a conspiracy that distributed at least 500 grams of mixed methamphetamine and 150 grams of pure methamphetamine in the Sioux City area.  On December 14, 2021, Sioux City Police officers observed suspicious conduct by Chavez in the Walgreens parking lot and inside the store.  Officers confronted Chavez, obtained consent to search his vehicle, and seized three ounces of methamphetamine.  Chavez would obtain multiple ounce quantities of methamphetamine from his sources of supply and then sell lesser quantities of the methamphetamine to others.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Chavez was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 10-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Chavez 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 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 22-4009.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who was involved in the distribution of heroin was sentenced January 4, 2023, to more than a year in federal prison.

Albert McReynolds, age 34, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 18, 2022 guilty plea to two counts of distribution of a controlled substance after having been previously convicted of a felony drug offense and one count of distribution of and aiding and abetting the distribution of a controlled substance after having been previously convicted of a felony drug offense.

Evidence at plea and sentencing hearings showed that on three different occasions between October and December 2020, McReynolds arranged for the distribution of heroin in Cedar Rapids.  On two of those occasions, McReynolds personally distributed the heroin, and on one occasion, another individual distributed the heroin on his behalf.  Fentanyl was detected along with the heroin involved in the first two occasions.  McReynolds has a prior federal conviction for heroin trafficking, and he was serving a term of supervised release when he committed the instant offense.

McReynolds was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  McReynolds was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Adam Vander Stoep and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. 

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

The case file number is 21-CR-73.

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A Guatemalan man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to ten months in federal prison.

Pablo Perez-Chavez, age 22, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 25, 2022, guilty plea to one count of Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien.

In a plea agreement, Perez-Chavez admitted that he unlawfully possessed a firearm in April 2022 while being illegally present in the United States.  On April 30, 2022, Perez-Chavez was arrested by Cedar Rapids police officers after the officers were called to Perez-Chavez’s location by a 911 call.  During the course of the investigation, officers found two .380 caliber bullets in Perez-Chavez’s pocket and a Walther PK380, .380 Auto caliber pistol on the ground where they first spotted Perez-Chavez that morning.  Perez-Chavez admitted that he knowingly possessed the firearm.

Perez-Chavez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Perez-Chavez was sentenced to ten 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.

Perez-Chavez 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 Cedar Rapids Police Department and 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 22-CR-46.

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

Elder Moises Ramirez-Melgar, age 30, a citizen of Honduras illegally present in the United States and residing in Postville, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 1, 2022, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.

At the guilty plea, Ramirez-Melgar admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Ramirez-Melgar was previously deported in September 2014 and March 2016.  In February 2017, Ramirez-Melgar was convicted in Arizona of illegal entry into the United States and again deported in March 2017.  In March 2020, Ramirez-Melgar was again convicted in Arizona of illegal entry into the United States and again deported in May 2020.  On October 3, 2022, immigration officials learned Ramirez-Melgar had illegally returned to the United States and found Ramirez-Melgar at the Allamakee County Jail following his arrest on state charges. 

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

Ramirez-Melgar 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 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 22-CR-1038.

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

Miguel Jose Lopez-Garcia, age 23, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Postville, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 1, 2022, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.

At the guilty plea, Lopez-Garcia admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Lopez-Garcia was previously deported in March 2020.  On June 13, 2022, immigration officials learned Lopez-Garcia had illegally returned to the United States and found Lopez-Garcia at the Allamakee County Jail following his arrest on state charges. On September 14, 2022, Lopez-Garcia went into federal custody following his conviction in Iowa District Court for Sexual Abuse, Third Degree, and Operating While Intoxicated, First Offense.

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

Lopez-Garcia 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 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 22-CR-1032.

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A man who sold methamphetamine, possessed firearms, and manufactured homemade explosives was sentenced on December 21, 2022, to five years in federal prison.

Cody Robert Winters, age 34, from Charles City, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 28, 2022 guilty plea to one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of firearms and one count of distribution of five grams or more of pure methamphetamine.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Winters distributed pure methamphetamine on several occasions from the spring of 2020 through the fall of 2020.  During this time, Winters taught another individual how to manufacture explosive devices.  In November 2020, a search of Winters’s house resulted in the seizure of firearms and explosive materials.  Winters was a drug user and unlawfully possessed the guns.

Winters was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Winters was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a five-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.      

Winters 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 Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement 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 22-CR-02015.

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A man who illegally possessed a firearm pled guilty on December 19, 2022, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Lavell Andre Barnes, Jr., age 27, from Iowa City, Iowa, was convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon.

At the plea hearing, Barnes admitted that he illegally possessed a firearm after being previously convicted of two felony convictions in Cook County, Illinois.  Barnes was previously convicted of a controlled substance offense involving heroin and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Barnes remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Barnes faces a possible maximum sentence of not more than 10 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of not more than $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of 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 Jason Dorval Norwood and was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department’s Street Crimes Action Team.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 22-CR-84.

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A Cedar Rapids man who worked with others to distribute over 9 kilograms of cocaine was sentenced December 20, 2022, to more than 12 years in federal prison. 

Paris Martell Cullar, age 26, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 12, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.  Information disclosed at sentencing showed that from November 2017 through July 2021, Cullar worked with others to distribute over 9 kilograms of cocaine and several grams of crack cocaine in the Cedar Rapids area.  Cullar obtained his supply of cocaine from individuals in California and Chicago, Illinois.  After Cullar was arrested, he intimidated or attempted to intimidate a witness while at the Linn County Correctional Center. 

Cullar was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Cullar was sentenced to 149 months’ and 28 days’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a 5‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Cullar 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 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; and the Cedar Rapids Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 22-CR-00009.

 A man who moved to Iowa from Texas and failed to comply with his requirement to register as a sex offender was sentenced on December 13, 2022, to more than two years in federal prison.

Robert Lee Metz, age 61, formerly of Austin, Texas, and last living in Cedar Falls, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 20, 2022 guilty plea to one count of failure to register as a sex offender.

Information at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Metz moved to Iowa from Texas in April 2021.  Metz was required to register as a sex offender because he had previously been convicted of two sex offenses that each required him to register: indecency with a child-contact in 1993 in Texas state court and possession of visual depictions of sexual activities by minors in 2012 in a federal court in Texas.  Between April 2021 and May 2022, which was when he was indicted by a grand jury, Metz never registered as a sex offender living in Iowa.   

Metz was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Metz was sentenced to 30 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.  Metz 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 Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 22-CR-2030.

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A woman who abused her position as an elderly victim’s power of attorney was sentenced on December 9, 2022, to more than three years in federal prison.

Shanan Smith, age 56, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 30, 2022 guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.

Information from the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Smith became the victim’s power of attorney after the victim began to suffer from dementia.  Smith eventually began to steal the victim’s money and use it for her own purposes.  This included gambling with the victim’s money.  Smith’s misspending of the victim’s money caused the victim’s nursing home bill to become thousands of dollars in arrears.  Smith eventually sold the victim’s house to bring the nursing home bill current.  Smith then spent the remainder of the proceeds from the sale of the house on her own expenses.  Smith has three prior felony convictions and fourteen theft convictions.    

Smith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Smith was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.  She was ordered to make $51,000 in restitution to relatives of the victim.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Smith 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 Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. 

The case file number is 22-CR-2014.

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A Cedar Rapids man who worked with others to distribute over four pounds of methamphetamine was sentenced December 13, 2022, to more than 14 years in federal prison.

Mathew Shepherd, age 37, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 31, 2022, guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Information disclosed at sentencing showed that, in May 2020, Shepherd was paroled from state custody related to a 2018 state conviction for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.  Almost immediately after he was paroled, Shepherd began working with others to distribute methamphetamine in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area.  On September 11, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Shepherd’s residence and recovered over 62 grams of methamphetamine, $273 in cash, a digital scale, and a drug ledger.  Law enforcement also executed a search warrant on Shepherd’s cell phone, which revealed numerous messages related to Shepherd’s distribution of methamphetamine.  At the time of sentencing, Shepherd had been convicted 29 times as an adult, including two arson convictions and several assault‑related convictions.

Shepherd was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Shepherd was sentenced to 176 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a 5‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Shepherd 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 Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. 

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

The case file number is 21-CR-00030.

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A man who distributed large quantities of heroin and fentanyl was sentenced on December 7, 2022, to nearly four years federal prison.

Demeco Demon Irvin, age 31, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, received the prison term after a June 2, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

In a plea agreement, Irvin admitted he sold between 80 and 100 grams of heroin for Brian Dennis during 2020.  During a search of Irvin’s residence and vehicle in September 2020, officers found 32 baggies containing a total of 14.86 grams of fentanyl, which Irvin intended to distribute.  

Six other individuals, Cody Scott Deklotz, Andrew James Lehman, Ryan Rick Schlitter, Melinda Salvatora Werning, Jerry Dwayne Banghart, and Thomas Nathaniel May previously pled guilty to the heroin conspiracy and have been sentenced.  Ryan Rick Schlitter was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  Andrew James Lehman was sentenced to 10 months and 16 days’ imprisonment.  Cody Scott Deklotz was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment.  Melinda Salvatora Werning was sentenced to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment.  Jerry Dwayne Banghart was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  Thomas Nathaniel May was sentenced to 31 months’ imprisonment.  Three other individuals charged in the same indictment, including Dennis, have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

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

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

The case 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 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was 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 21‑CR‑32‑CJW.

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A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine was convicted by a jury on December 13, 2022, after a two-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

Kenneth John David Schneiders, 34, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine all within 1,000 feet of a protected location, namely the Sioux City Alternative School and Opportunities School, each located in the Boys and Girls Home in Sioux City, Iowa.

The evidence at trial showed that Schneiders was communicating with others for the sale of methamphetamine on December 2, 2019.  Law enforcement was made aware of the discussions through a confidential source, and ultimately located Schneiders at the Boys and Girls Home parking lot with approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine.    

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Schneiders was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the verdict was returned and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Schneiders faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 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 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 20-4032. 

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Russell Spencer, age 40, from Eagle Grove, Iowa, was sentenced on December 8, 2022, to ten years in federal prison in Sioux City, Iowa.

On August 4, 2022, Spencer pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana; three counts of distribution of methamphetamine; and one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that between 2021 and January 20, 2022, Spencer and others involved in the conspiracy, participated in the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms of mixed methamphetamine.  Spencer was a mid-level methamphetamine dealer in Central Iowa, with both Iowa and California sources of supply.  Spencer made several trips to California, to acquire and transport back to Iowa, multiple pounds of methamphetamine for further distribution in the Central Iowa area.  Spencer also utilized package delivery by the US Postal Service for delivery of methamphetamine from California to Iowa, for further distribution.  In late 2021 and early 2022, law enforcement made three controlled methamphetamine buys from Spencer, for a total of more than 110 grams of actual/pure methamphetamine.  On January 20, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Spencer’s residence, seizing 172.88 grams actual methamphetamine, 427.5 grams of marijuana, and two handguns, an unloaded Ruger 9 mm in a shed and a loaded .22 caliber revolver, in kitchen.     

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Spencer was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment with terms on all counts served concurrently and must serve a 5-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Spencer 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 Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 22-3004.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Sioux City, Iowa man who fired upon a home – with adults and children inside – was sentenced on December 9, 2022, to 6 years in federal prison.

Alvaro Vite, 26, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 4, 2022, guilty plea to being a drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  At the time, Vite possessed the firearms and ammunition he was an unlawful user of cocaine.

Evidence in the case revealed that on June 23, 2020, Vite came to Joel Perea-Duenas’s residence and said he was going to “shoot up” the residence of a rival and needed a driver who could operate a “stick shift” vehicle. Perea-Duenas agreed to help, changed into dark clothing, left the residence with Vite, and joined

Esai Lopez and Alexander Laurel-Olea who were already in the car. 

Three of the four men were armed with handguns.  Laurel-Olea was in possession of a Taurus pistol, Vite had a Ruger pistol, and Lopez had a .45 caliber firearm. 

The men drove to the home of their intended victim, but seeing law enforcement in the area, abandoned the initial attack.  Later, the men decided upon a secondary target.  At approximately 11:15 pm, Vite repeatedly fired upon a Sioux City, Iowa home.  A mother, father and their five minor children were in the home.  Eight bullet holes were found in the house.   

The subsequent investigation revealed all the men knew the shooting was going to happen, knew there were people, including children, in the house, and wanted the shooting to occur in retaliation against a resident of the home and the family.  Also, during the investigation, an additional man Jonathon Sotres-De La O was found to be an associate of the shooting party and to have also illegally possessed a firearm on a different occasion.     

Vite was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 72 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to pay $38,863.42 in restitution to victims and the insurance company.   He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Joel Perea-Duenas was sentenced to 54 months imprisonment on November 19, 2021.  Alexander Laurel-Olea was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment on November 18, 2021.  Esai Lopez was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment on April 7, 2022.  Jonathon Sotres-De La O was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment on November 4, 2021. 

Vite 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 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 investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case was 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 20-4071.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA. 

A woman who distributed methamphetamine out of her home was sentenced on December 12, 2022, to more than 10 years in federal prison.

Alberta Lynnette Batchelder, age 44, from Lisbon, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 20, 2022 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that, between January 2021 and June 2021, Batchelder conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine.  Specifically, Batchelder was distributing at least an ounce of methamphetamine every week from her home between March 2021 and to June 2021.  In addition, on June 9, 2021, during a search of Batchelder’s home, officers found approximately 428.22 grams of ice methamphetamine. 

Batchelder was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Batchelder was sentenced to 127 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Adam J. Vander Stoep and Devra Hake and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department.

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

The case file number is 22-CR-30.

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A Cedar Rapids woman who purchased a gun for her boyfriend and purchased at least four other guns was sentenced today to nearly three years in federal prison.  

Lisa Marie Good, age 42, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a July 7, 2022 guilty plea to making false statement during the purchase of a firearm. 

Information disclosed at sentencing and at her plea hearing showed that between November 2020 and August 2021, Good purchased at least five firearms from businesses in the Cedar Rapids area.  During at least one purchase, Good lied on the ATF Form 4473 and represented that the firearm was for her when in fact the firearm she was buying the gun for her boyfriend.  Good’s boyfriend was a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.  Good knew this at the time she purchased the gun for him.  Another firearm that Good purchased during this time was recovered from another individual, also a felon.  Officers searched Good’s residence and located a firearm, over 90 ecstasy pills, cash, and a digital scale.  Good admitted that she not only used the ecstasy pills, but also sold them.  To date, officers have not recovered two of the firearms Good purchased.     

Good was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Good was sentenced to 34 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Good will have to pay $100 to the special assessment fund.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. 

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.

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

The case file number is 22-CR-11.                                  

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A man who conspired to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine pled guilty on December 7, 2022, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Calub Joseph Storlie, age 35, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

Evidence at a prior hearing showed that in October 2020 a car being transported from Arizona to Iowa on a car hauler was searched by law enforcement in New Mexico.  During the search, officers found an after‑market compartment behind the back seat of the car.  The compartment contained approximately 30 pounds of ice methamphetamine.  Paperwork inside the car showed that the insurance was in Storlie’s name.

During a wiretap investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Cedar Rapids in late 2021 and early 2022, Albert Bailey was discovered to be a driver for a group of individuals who were purchasing ice methamphetamine in California and selling it in eastern Iowa.  Bailey traveled to California and then drove between 30 and 60 pounds of methamphetamine back to Iowa, where other individuals would sell it.  In February 2022, intercepted communications over the wiretap indicated that Bailey would be transporting methamphetamine from California to Iowa.  Investigators tracked Bailey’s vehicle and stopped it in York County, Nebraska.  During a search of the vehicle, investigators located and seized approximately 60 pounds of ice methamphetamine.  Immediately following the seizure of the methamphetamine in Nebraska, Storlie was intercepted on the wiretap speaking to other members of the conspiracy about the seizure and how to cover it up.  Evidence at the prior hearing showed that Storlie had previously gone on similar trips to California for the same individuals as Bailey.

In other intercepted conversations, another individual discussed Storlie bringing him firearms and ammunition.  During a search of Storlie’s residence on March 8, 2022, investigators found and seized a Glock 9mm pistol and an AR‑15‑style rifle.  At the plea hearing, Storlie admitted that he was an unlawful user of marijuana and THC at the time he possessed the firearms found in his house.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Storlie remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Storlie faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,250,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.  Nine other individuals charged along with Storlie are pending trial.

The case 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 DEA Task Force in Cedar Rapids and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The DEA Task Force in Cedar Rapids consists of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.  The case 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 22‑CR‑39‑CJW‑MAR‑7.

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