Northern District of Iowa

April Nikkel, 37, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on May 18, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.  Nikkel pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location.

At the plea hearing, Nikkel admitted her involvement in a conspiracy from January 2025 through November 2025 that distributed more than three pounds of methamphetamine.  On at least three occasions Nikkel distributed and helped another distribute a total of over 184 grams of pure methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.  These distributions occurred within 1,000 feet of Fairmount City Park and Cecillia City Park in Sioux City.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Nikkel remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Nikkel 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 10 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 is25-4063.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A Dubuque man who distributed fentanyl between July 2022 and October 2023 and illegally possessed a gun was sentenced on May 18, 2026, to more than ten years in federal prison.

Derrick Deonte Moore, age 31, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 22, 2025, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and distribution of fentanyl.  

Evidence at plea and sentencing hearings showed that between July 1, 2022, and October 10, 2023, Moore worked with others to distribute fentanyl.  In October and December 2023, Moore distributed fentanyl that caused two nonfatal overdoses.  In March 2023, investigators searched Moore’s home in Dubuque.  They found Moore in the home and in possession of over $2,500.  Investigators also found 234 fentanyl pills hidden inside a stuffed animal, five more fentanyl pills in a bag inside Moore’s bedroom closet, a loaded .45 caliber pistol in the same closet, a scale, prescription drugs, and marijuana.  On September 6, 2023, and October 10, 2023, Moore sold ten fentanyl pills to another person.  Moore was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony and domestic abuse assault convictions.

Moore was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Moore was sentenced to 137 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.

More 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 Michael S.A. Hudson and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Dubuque Drug Task Force, the Dubuque Police Department, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory.  

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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

The case file number is 25-CR-1036.

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A Decorah man who obtained and distributed methamphetamine was sentenced on May 18, 2026, to more than 18 years in federal prison.

Cody Richard Reisner, age 42, from Decorah, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 2, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony.  

Information disclosed at sentencing showed that, in February 2025, Reisner obtained methamphetamine from a source of supply in Des Moines, Iowa, and distributed the methamphetamine to customers in the Decorah area.  On February 26, 2025, law enforcement officers tried to stop Reisner’s car.  Reisner fled from officers.  He drove through a dorm parking lot and a grassy space of a college campus before he stopped and ran.  Officers caught him and he was arrested.  Officers recovered over 70 grams of methamphetamine from his car.  Reisner’s has three prior drug‑trafficking convictions.  

Reisner was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Reisner was sentenced to 224 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve an eight‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Reisner 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 Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

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

The case file number is 25‑CR‑02044‑CJW.

A Springville woman who stole over $500,000 from her employer, a veteran-owned small business in Cedar Rapids, was sentenced on May 19, 2026, to more than three years in federal prison.  Debra Ann Vaughn, age 67, from Springville, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 1, 2025, guilty plea to one count of bank fraud.

In a plea agreement and at her sentencing hearing, Vaughn admitted that she was the bookkeeper for a small, veteran-owned business in Marion, Iowa.  By virtue of her position of trust, Vaughn had access to all of the company’s financial records, managed its payroll, and was the point of contact for its employee retirement plan.

Between 2013 and 2021, Vaughn stole over $500,000 from her employer’s bank account in a sophisticated embezzlement scheme.  Vaughn created false entries in the employer’s books to conceal the fact that she was making physical payroll checks to herself to which she was not entitled and even though she was receiving her own payroll electronically by direct deposit at the same time.  Vaughn also used forged signatures and altered her pay rate in her scheme.

The company suffered a substantial financial hardship as a result of Vaughn’s long-running fraud.  The company’s owner took out a large loan and also infused a significant amount of the owner’s own funds into the business due to the company’s lack of funds.  For a time, Vaughn did not ensure that the company’s federal and state taxes, or its employee retirement contributions, were paid, which had negative repercussions for the company.

Vaughn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Vaughn was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment.  She was ordered to make $158,135.77 in restitution the company, which took into account a $373,732.27 inheritance that the company was able to seize from Vaughn in a state court civil case after discovering Vaughn’s fraud and firing her.  Vaughn must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

In sentencing Vaughn to years in federal prison, Chief Judge Williams characterized Vaughn’s scheme as a “cold and calculated, systemic theft.”  Chief Judge Williams found Vaughn’s motive was “base, selfish greed” and that her crime eroded the community’s trust.

Vaughn was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on June 15, 2026.

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 25-CR-52.

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A man who illegally reentered the United States from Mexico after having been convicted of an aggravated felony and twice being convicted of illegal reentry as an aggravated felon pled guilty today in federal court in Sioux City.

Jesus Gamboa-Brambila, age 51, from Mexico but residing in Sheldon, Iowa, was convicted of illegal reentry as an aggravated felon.

At the plea hearing, Gamboa-Brambila admitted he illegally reentered the United States without permission after having been previously removed from the United States on August 4, 2018, and after having been convicted of at least one aggravated felony offense.  That offense was a conviction in 1991 for Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling in the Superior Court of Los Angeles, California.  Gamboa-Brambila had been federally convicted in the Northern District of Iowa in 2004 and 2014 of illegal reentry as an aggravated felon.  Most recently, Gamboa-Brambila was found in O’Brien County on March 21, 2026, after he was arrested for domestic abuse assault – first offense, and criminal mischief.  While in custody, immigration officials confirmed his identity and that he was a citizen of Mexico and had previously been deported from the United States to Mexico four times.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Gamboa-Brambila remains in custody pending sentencing.  He faces a possible sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.           

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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

The case file number is 26-CR-04012.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who illegally reentered the United States from Guatemala pled guilty May 21, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.

Rogelio Morales-Ramos, age 36, who had been living in Sioux Center, Iowa, was convicted of illegal reentry.

At the plea hearing, Morales-Ramos admitted he illegally reentered the United States without permission after having been previously removed from the United States on June 13, 2019.  On April 1, 2026, law enforcement in Sioux County attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Morales-Ramos for speeding.  He failed to stop and subsequently fled on foot.  Inside the vehicle, law enforcement found an open alcohol bottle in the center console, more alcohol in the car, as well as a fictitious international driver’s license. On April 4, 2026, Morales-Ramos was located at his residence in Sioux Center when he again tried to flee from law enforcement before being apprehended.  Additional fictitious documentation was found in the residence.  While in custody, officials determined he was a citizen of Guatemala and had previously been deported from the United States to Guatemala three times.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Morales-Ramos remains in custody pending sentencing.  He faces a possible sentence of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.            

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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

The case file number is 26-CR-04014.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who illegally reentered the United States from Guatemala pled guilty today in federal court in Sioux City.

Rigoberto Hernandez-Corado, also known as Rigoberto Corado-Hernandes, age 63, who was living in Rock Valley, Iowa, was convicted of illegal reentry.

At the plea hearing, Hernandez-Corado admitted he illegally reentered the United States without permission after having been previously removed from the United States on August 3, 2018.  Hernandez-Corado was convicted in Sioux County, Iowa, in 2024 of domestic abuse assault, first offense, with a dangerous weapon.  He was found in the Sioux County jail on January 13, 2026, where he was being held on a probation violation stemming from the 2024 sentence. While in custody, officials determined he was a citizen of Guatemala and had previously been deported from the United States to Guatemala.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Hernandez-Corado remains in custody pending sentencing.  He faces a possible sentence of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.              

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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

The case file number is 26-CR-04011.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

Andrew Robert Roos, age 35, from Dubuque, Iowa, has been charged with six counts related to allegations involving child exploitation.  The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed today in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.  

The Indictment alleges that, over the course of several years, Roos attempted to use, persuade, induce, and entice minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct, and that he distributed, transported, received, and possessed child pornography.  

If convicted on all charges, Roos faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 120 years’ imprisonment and supervised release for life following any imprisonment.­

Roos’s first appearance in federal court in Cedar Rapids for an arraignment is set for May 22, 2026. 

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 Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, with assistance from the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 26-CR-1009.  

Richard Martinez, 30, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced May 14, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.

Martinez pled guilty on July 24, 2025, to possessing and aiding and abetting another’s possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on July 17, 2024, law enforcement was conducting surveillance at WinnaVegas Casino (near Sloan, Iowa) and observed a vehicle traveling away from the casino over the speed limit.  Law enforcement attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle, which took off at high-speed to elude police. As police followed, they observed two packages of methamphetamine thrown out the passenger window.  The thrown meth (approximately ½ pound) was later located and seized by law enforcement. Martinez admitted that the driver of the vehicle handed him the methamphetamine and instructed him to throw it out of the window to avoid their apprehension with the methamphetamine in their possession. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Martinez was sentenced to 65 months’ imprisonment and must serve four years of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Martinez remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the 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, and the DEA Laboratory.    

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

The case file number is 24-4078.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who was previously prosecuted in the Northern District of Iowa for illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for again possessing a firearm.

Davion Lashaun Trawick, age 26, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a December 8, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm as a felon.

On August 9, 2025, Dubuque police responded to a 911 call.  Police tried to make entry into the home, but due to concerns about the presence of firearms and hostages, remained outside.  Victims later reported that Trawick, Donta Euells (co‑defendant), and another man, forced their way into the home, and that Trawick pointed his firearm at the victims, including a minor child.  Previously, in 2019, defendant was convicted in the Northern District of Iowa for illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user.

Trawick was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Trawick was sentenced to 144 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime

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

The case file number is 25-CR-1042-1.

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Keith Havener, 62, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty May 13, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City to possession of child pornography.

 At the plea hearing, Havener admitted that between June 1, 2024, and January 13, 2025, he possessed and attempted to possess visual depictions of child pornography, including a depiction involving a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.  Evidence in the case showed that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a Cybertip report from Tagged.com about a local 14-year-old female making a dating profile offering up housecleaning and prostitution.  FBI agents interviewed the girl to ensure her safety, and she denied making the ad.  It was determined that the ad was made by Havener.  On January 6, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Havener’s residence, where officers seized an iPhone, multiple computers/laptops, and multiple external storage devices.  Forensic analysis of the digital media devices revealed that Havener possessed a total of 1,025 images of child pornography all created by Havener using Artificial Intelligence technology to remove clothing from the pictures of children he had gotten off social media.  Some of the images included sadistic and masochistic conduct. 

Evidence in the case also revealed that a parallel investigation into Havener was being conducted by the Sioux City Police Department about allegations Havener had used AI to create explicit images of his female coworkers and distributed them at work.  His employer turned over the computer Havener used for work to be searched and SCPD detectives discovered additional images of child pornography, as well as images of Havener’s coworkers.  Detectives sought search warrants for Havener’s Google accounts and discovered Havener had created the Tagged.com ad, created email accounts in the 14-year-old’s name, and was conversing with people online in a sexual manner.  Some of the discussions involved people traveling to Sioux City from out of state to engage in sex with the 14-year-old.  Detectives passed those leads on to the local agencies where the offenders lived. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Havener remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Havener faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sioux City Police Department 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 25-4001.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

An Eastern Iowa occupational therapist who tampered with an assisted living resident’s prescription pain medication pled guilty on May 12, 2026, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.  Eric Leo Newsom, age 34, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of tampering and attempting to tamper with a consumer product.

In a plea agreement, Newsom admitted he was a licensed occupational therapist within the State of Iowa.  Newsom owned and operated a company through which he provided occupational therapy services to patients in Eastern Iowa.

In November 2024, Newsom began diverting narcotics from his current and former patients.  One of his former patients was elderly, had cancer, required medication to control pain, and lived in a Cedar Rapids assisted living facility.  On March 19, 2025, the former patient began receiving palliative hospice care.  On March 24, 2025, Newsom picked up the former patient’s hydrocodone tablets from an area pharmacy and replaced the former patient’s hydrocodone tablets with zinc tablets.  Before putting the zinc tablets into the hydrocodone container, Newsom added score marks to the zinc tablets to make them appear similar to hydrocodone tablets.  As a result, from March 24, 2025, until March 26, 2025, the former patient did not have her narcotic pain medication.  The former patient died on March 28, 2025.

Newsom also admitted burglarizing the apartment of another resident of an assisted living facility while seeking narcotics.  Newsom admitted to stealing narcotics from two sisters who lived in different apartments at the same assisted living facility in Cedar Rapids while the sisters were in the facility’s gym for therapy. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Newsom remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing.  Newsom faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  

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

The case file number is 25-CR-92.

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A man who officers identified as a member of a hybrid criminal street gang in Waterloo, Iowa, was sentenced May 13, 2026, to more than three years in federal prison.

Dearion Deshawn Newman, age 22, from Waterloo, received the prison term after a December 17, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by felon.

Evidence at sentencing showed that on May 11, 2025, Newman was in a car with three other people, including two juveniles.  Law enforcement officers identified the people in the car as members of a hybrid criminal street gang in Waterloo.  Newman was sitting in the passenger seat of the car.  Officers recovered four guns in and around the car.  At the plea hearing, Newman admitted possessing a loaded gun that was found under the car.  Newman’s DNA was found on the gun.  The gun also had an extended magazine and a laser sight attached to it.  Newman was on state probation for possession of a firearm by a felon and interference with official acts with a firearm.  That probation sentence was revoked in October 2025.  The sentence in this case will run consecutive to the sentence in state court.

Newman was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Newman was sentenced to 37 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 is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and was investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms 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 25-cr-2047.

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A Minnesota man who stole cattle from a farmer and sold them in Northeast Iowa pled guilty on May 8, 2026, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Lawrence “Larry” Patrick Burns, age 48, from Eitzen, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of transportation of stolen livestock.

In a plea agreement, Burns admitted that, from at least October 2017 to March 2024, he worked as a farmhand in Minnesota.  From time to time, a farmer directed Burns to transport certain cattle and grain at various locations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri, as part of Burns’ employment.  Without the farmer’s knowledge, Burns loaded extra cattle and grain and sold the extra cattle and grain in Burns’ own name.  Burns lied and claimed he owned a portion of the cattle and grain that he was transporting across state lines.  In the plea agreement, Burns admitted he stole at least $150,000 of the farmer’s cattle and grain during this timeframe.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Burns remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing.  Burns faces a possible maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.  

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

The case file number is 26-CR-2002.

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Willie York, 47, from Mason City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  York pled guilty on May 11, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.  York was previously convicted in Cerro Gordo County of the following crimes which prohibit a person from possessing a firearm or ammunition: Terrorism – Intent to Injure or Provoke Fear or Anger and Robbery-2nd, both in 2000; and Delivery of Methamphetamine in 2015. 

At the plea hearing, York admitted that from August 2024 through October 2024, he and others conspired to distribute at least 500 grams or more of mixed methamphetamine which contained 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine.  On October 1, 2024, York was a passenger in a vehicle with two others when traffic stopped south of Sioux City, Iowa.  Law enforcement found over one pound of pure methamphetamine, along with two firearms including a fully loaded Beretta 9mm pistol with York.  York admitted that he and another transported the methamphetamine from Des Moines, Iowa to Pierre, South Dakota for distribution during two round trips over the course of several days and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  

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

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

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

The case file number is 24-4080.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who illegally possessed a gun was sentenced on May 7, 2026, to more than two years in federal prison.

Christopher Dante Roby, age 34, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 8, 2025, guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

At the guilty plea, Roby admitted that in December 2024, he illegally possessed a Taurus 9mm pistol.  Roby had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including first degree burglary, domestic abuse assault strangulation with injury, felon in possession of a firearm, and intimidation with a weapon.  

Roby was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Roby was sentenced to 30 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 Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Roby 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 Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Waterloo Police Department. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 25-CR-2043.

Carlos Castro-Izaguirre, 37, from Honduras, was sentenced on May 8, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.

On October 21, 2025, Castro-Izaguirre pled guilty to illegal reentry.  Evidence in the case showed that on May 19, 2024, Castro-Izaguirre was arrested in Buena Vista County, Iowa, for operating while intoxicated.  Castro-Izaguirre was released before ICE could conduct an interview. An investigation revealed Castro-Izaguirre was a citizen of Honduras and was previously removed from the United States on two previous occasions.  A biometric confirmation was received on the Alien Criminal Response Information Management System (ACRIME) when a positive match of fingerprints identified the individual as Carlos Daniel Castro-Izaguirre.  As a result of the positive match of fingerprints, further investigation into Castro-Izaguirre revealed he was removed from the United States to Honduras on two previous occasions in 2009 and 2019. Prior to his first removal, Castro-Izaguirre was convicted in the Iowa District Court for Cherokee County, Iowa, for delivery of methamphetamine in 2007 and sentenced to prison.  Thereafter, Castro-Izaguirre never applied for lawful re-entry or lawful admission into the United States as required by law. He was found in Hidalgo, Texas, in 2017 and was convicted in federal court there of illegal reentry and sentenced to federal prison.  Castro-Izaguirre was then returned to Honduras in 2019. He reentered the United States at an unknown time thereafter. 

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Castro-Izaguirre to 30 months’ imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Castro-Izaguirre remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.  

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The case file number is 24-4059.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who possessed a loaded gun illegally was sentenced on May 7, 2026, to 51 months in federal prison.

 Devieon Jermaine-Oliver Irvin, age 21, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 3, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm as a felon.

While investigating a theft, police officers learned that Irvin was sending text messages to a 13-year-old juvenile.  In these messages, Irvin and the juvenile discussed Irvin providing the juvenile with drugs.  On March 13, 2025, police searched Irvin’s residence in Marion, Iowa, and found a loaded gun in the couch in the living room.  Irvin was a convicted felon and was on state probation at the time he possessed the gun. 

Irvin was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Irvin was sentenced to 51 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin and investigated by the Marion Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 25-CR-00078.

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Justin Zobel, 37, from Mason City, Iowa, was sentenced May 5, 2026, to more than 18 years in federal prison, after a December 15, 2025, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

Evidence in the case revealed that between February 2023, and continuing through February 2024, Zobel was involved in an ongoing methamphetamine distribution conspiracy based in Mason City, Iowa.  Law enforcement documented Zobel actively engaged in drug trafficking, including the sale of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.  Zobel has a lengthy criminal history and began distributing methamphetamine immediately after being released from custody for a prior conviction.  Zobel’s prior convictions include numerous thefts, burglaries, eluding, domestic abuse assault, assault, and controlled substance convictions.   

Zobel was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 225 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Zobel is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

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

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The case file number is 25-3024.

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A woman from Northwest Illinois who fraudulently obtained approximately $100,000 in pandemic-era unemployment benefits, which she then converted to cash at a Dubuque casino, was sentenced on May 5, 2026, to more than three years in federal prison.  Jackie L. Smith, age 39, from Galena, Illinois, received the prison term after a November 4, 2025, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.

Evidence at Smith’s guilty plea and sentencing hearings established that Smith orchestrated a scheme to defraud various states out of approximately $100,000 in federally subsidized unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Smith filed a false UI application in her own name, recruited others into the UI fraud scheme in exchange for a share of the fraud proceeds, and stole others’ personally identifiable information and pocketed the UI moneys for herself.  Smith then made cash withdrawals at a Dubuque casino.

Smith is a felon with an extensive criminal history.  Smith has convictions in Illinois, Texas, and Wisconsin for bail jumping, methamphetamine possession, burglary, theft, resisting a law enforcement officer, receiving stolen property, and operating under the influence.

Smith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Smith was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment.  She was ordered to make $95,708 in restitution to three states.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Smith is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.

Smith is the fourth Illinoisan whom Chief Judge Williams has sentenced for making cash withdrawals at a Dubuque casino from stolen UI fraud money during the pandemic:

In April 2026, Jeffrey Alan Edmonds, age 58, from Galena, Illinois, was sentenced to four months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release after he pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.  Edmonds was ordered to pay $10,923.30 in restitution to one state.

In January 2026, Michael Angelo Martinelli, age 35, a self-employed gambler from Galena, Illinois, was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release after he pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.  Martinelli was ordered to pay $170,144.70 in restitution to two states.

In September 2024, Dezaray Elizabeth Seitz, age 35, from Galena, Illinois, was sentenced to 78 days in jail and three years of supervised release after she pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.  Seitz was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution to one state.  In December 2025, after Seitz violated the terms of her supervised release, Chief Judge Williams sentenced Seitz to nine additional months in federal prison.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.  Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.  

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

The case file numbers are 24-CR-1019 (Smith), 25-CR-1032 (Edmonds), 25-CR-1025 (Martinelli), and 23-CR-1024 (Seitz)

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A man who stole fifteen firearms from a house in Waterloo was sentenced on May 1, 2026, to eight years in federal prison.

Justin Michael Barnes, age 29, from Rock Island, Illinois, received the prison term after a November 20, 2025, guilty plea to possession of firearms by a felon and possession of stolen firearms.

Information from the plea and sentencing hearings in the case showed that Barnes was previously convicted of six felonies in Iowa state courts, including thefts, forgeries, and a gun offense.  In June 2024, Barnes was on parole and there was a warrant for his arrest.  That month, he and his then-girlfriend, Jena Wells, stole fifteen firearms from an unoccupied house in Waterloo.  Wells acted as a lookout while Barnes stole the guns.  They took the stolen guns to Wells’s home.  Barnes then tried to sell the guns.  During a traffic stop on June 10, 2024, Waterloo police officers located several of the stolen guns in Barnes’s backpack.  During a subsequent interview with law enforcement officers, Barnes repeatedly lied about how and where he had acquired the guns.  

Barnes was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Barnes was sentenced to 96 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.  Wells was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment on March 9, 2026.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Barnes 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 a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms 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 25-CR-2022.

Paulette Allen, age 64, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced March 3, 2026, to more than 3 years in federal prison, after an October 9, 2025, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and two counts of distribution of controlled substances.

Donald Most, age 61, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced April 29, 2026, to 4 years in federal prison, after an October 14, 2025, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Martin Godbersen, age 65, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced April 7, 2026, to 17 years in federal prison, after a jury found him guilty on October 29, 2025, of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, after having been previously convicted of a serious drug felony.  Godbersen was found not guilty of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.

Evidence in the case and at trial showed between July 2023 and June 2025, Allen, Most and Godbersen knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Most and Allen admitted that Most was providing Allen with methamphetamine on a weekly basis.  In April 2025, law enforcement utilized a confidential source to purchase methamphetamine from Allen and Most on two occasions.  Allen took the confidential source to Most’s home, where Godbersen later arrived and provided them with methamphetamine. 

On April 22, 2025, Godbersen was subject to a traffic stop where law enforcement located a baggie of over 50 grams of pure methamphetamine in Godbersen’s pocket, as well as additional methamphetamine in the center console of his vehicle.  

Allen, Most, and Godbersen were sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Allen was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  Most was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  Godbersen was sentenced to 204 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Allen, Most, and Godbersen are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.

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

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The case file number is 25-4031.

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An Iowa farmer who stole over $250,000 from his business partner and filed dozens of false documents over multiple years in bankruptcy court pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.  Kurt Patrick Krauskopf, age 49, from Decorah, Iowa, was convicted of one count of bankruptcy fraud.

In a plea agreement, Krauskopf admitted that he is a Winneshiek County farmer.  Krauskopf had a business partnership with another individual, who grew corn and soybeans on various farms in Northeast Iowa.  Between 2021 and 2023, Krauskopf sold over $250,000 of the partnerships’ crops to third parties under the false and fraudulent pretense that Krauskopf personally owned the corn and soybeans.  Krauskopf then used the sales proceeds from the stolen corn and soybeans for his own sole and exclusive benefit and without his business partner’s knowledge.

In April 2021, Krauskopf filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa.  Chapter 12 is a special chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that is designed to help certain farmers who are struggling financially to propose and carry out a plan to repay their debts.  While the case is pending, the farmer-debtor is required to file sworn monthly operating reports that truthfully disclose the farmer’s monthly income and expenses.  As part of his plea agreement, Krauskopf admitted that, between 2021 and 2023, he filed dozens of false monthly operating reports in which he failed to disclose income from the sale of his partner’s grain.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Krauskopf remains free on bond pending sentencing.  Krauskopf faces a possible maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

Krauskopf is the third person convicted this year in the Northern District of Iowa for bankruptcy related offenses.  In February, a jury convicted the former president of a defunct Eastern Iowa telecommunications infrastructure business, Dennis Clifford Bruce, age 51, from Marion, Iowa, of one count of conspiracy, two counts of bankruptcy concealment, one count of false bankruptcy declaration, two counts of false statement under oath, and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.  In April, Donita Eckrich, age 64, from Coralville, Iowa, pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud after she admitted she had used the bankruptcy court to defraud a nursing home out of more than $70,000. 

The Krauskopf case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.  

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

The case file number is 26-CR-2014.

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A woman who conspired to distribute fentanyl pled guilty today in federal court in Sioux City.

Leslie Jo Fanning, age 36, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

At the plea hearing, Fanning admitted that between about 2021 and continuing to about June 2024, in the Webster County, Iowa, she and others reached an agreement or came to an understanding to distribute fentanyl.  On three separate occasions in May of 2024, Fanning distributed blue pills marked “M-30” which contained fentanyl to an individual cooperating with law enforcement at her residence in Fort Dodge.  Fanning admitted to distributing thousands of pills containing fentanyl over the course of the conspiracy.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Fanning is in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Fanning faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any imprisonment of three years up to life.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fort Dodge Police Department.  

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The case file number is 25-CR-03058.

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A man who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison.

Dustin George Burnikel, age 45, from Lime Springs, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 27, 2025, guilty plea to one count of distribution of a controlled substance.

Between June 2022 and January 2024, Burnikel received packages containing controlled substances through the mail from an individual in California. In August 2023, Burnikel sold methamphetamine to an individual who was working with law enforcement.  In October 2023, Burnikel sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer.

Burnikel was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Burnikel was sentenced to 120 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.

Burnikel 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 Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector Service, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, and the Waterloo Police Department.  

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The case file number is 24-CR-2036.

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A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine was convicted by a jury April 29, 2026, after a 2-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

Shelton Lapointe, 36, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting another to do so.  The verdict was returned following roughly three hours of jury deliberations.  Lapointe had been convicted twice previously in Woodbury County Iowa District Court for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, in 2018 and again in 2022.

The evidence at trial showed that on July 17, 2024, agents were conducting surveillance at WinnaVegas Casino during which a vehicle was observed traveling away from the casino over the speed limit. Law enforcement attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle, which took off at speeds ranging from 100 to 140 mph, in an attempt to elude law enforcement. During the flight, two packages of methamphetamine were thrown out the passenger window.  The methamphetamine thrown from the car, approximately ½ pound, was located and seized by law enforcement. Lapointe, who was driving the vehicle, handed his co-conspirator the methamphetamine and instructed him to throw it out the window in an attempt to avoid apprehension with the methamphetamine in their possession.  Five co-conspirators also testified to their involvement with Lapointe in multiple-pound methamphetamine trafficking for several months from about 2022 through July 2024.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Lapointe was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the verdict was returned and will remain in

custody pending sentencing.  Lapointe faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and at least 10 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde, Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the DEA 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.  

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The case file number is 24-4078.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who distributed over 50 grams of ice methamphetamine was sentenced April 28, 2026, to more than 15 years in federal prison.

Burrell Marquis Jackson, age 35, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 6, 2025, guilty plea to three counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that between July 2024 and August 2024, law enforcement officers conducted multiple controlled buys of methamphetamine and, on one occasion, cocaine from Jackson.  On August 20, 2024, officers searched Jackson’s home and located over 45 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, and a digital scale.  That same day, officers stopped Jackson, searched him, and located over $10,000 in cash.  Jackson was considered a career offender because he had least two prior felony convictions that are crimes of violence or controlled substance offenses. 

Jackson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Jackson was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Jackson 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 Michael S.A. Hudson and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Iowa DCI Laboratory.  

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The case file number is 25-CR-43.

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Kenneth Thompson, age 24, from Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced April 28, 2026, to 7 years in federal prison, after a September 19, 2024, guilty plea to Possession of a Firearm by a Drug User and One Subject to an Order of Protection.

Evidence in the case revealed on July 15, 2021, Thompson was a passenger in a vehicle subject to a traffic stop and found in possession of marijuana and a pistol, but Thompson denied the firearm was his.  He was warned he could not lawfully possess firearms.  On August 19, 2022, Sioux City police responded to a report of a burglary and that a Glock handgun had been stolen.  On October 15, 2023, Woodbury County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in Moville where Thompson was not allowing a female victim to leave the residence.  The victim had a valid no-contact order against Thompson.  Thompson was arrested for possession of marijuana and violation of a no-contact order.  Once Thompson was transported away from the scene, the victim reported Thompson had a firearm in the house and had pointed a gun at her and assaulted her.  Law enforcement located a Glock handgun with a loaded, extended magazine.  Deputies ran the serial number and learned this firearm was reported stolen on August 19, 2022, in Sioux City.  While deputies were transporting Thompson, he made threats against law enforcement.

On November 10, 2023, Sioux City Police were dispatched to a neighborhood to locate Thompson, who had an active warrant for violation of a no-contact order.  While Thompson was being taken into custody, he admitted to having a firearm on him.  Officers located a fully loaded pistol. 

Thompson was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 84 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.

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

The case was investigated by Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department, Sioux City Police Department, and the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.  

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The case file number is 24-4013.

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A man who distributed, received, and possessed child pornography was sentenced today to more than 10 years in federal prison.  Jordan Michael Million, age 26, formerly from Marshalltown, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 14, 2025, guilty plea to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Evidence at sentencing showed that in 2024, Million was working in Independence and Manchester, Iowa, as a traveling nursing assistant.  In December 2024, law enforcement officers searched his home in Independence and took electronic devices.  In total, between April 2024 and December 2024, Million received and possessed over 800 images and videos of child pornography, including of sadistic and masochistic conduct.  A search of Million’s Kik account also showed that in 2021, when he lived in Marshalltown, he distributed child pornography to another person.

Million was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Million was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to make $6,000 in restitution to victims.  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 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.”

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by the Marshalltown Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Independence Police Department, and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office. 

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The case file number is 25-CR-2048.

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A man who escaped from the Gerald R. Hinzman Center was sentenced today to serve two months in federal prison.

Robert Fleming, age 61, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a guilty plea to escape from custody.

At the guilty plea, Fleming admitted that in July 2025, while confined to the Gerald R. Hinzman center, he escaped from custody.  At the time, Fleming was serving a federal prison sentence after being convicted of possession and aid abet the possession with intent to distribute cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a protected location after a prior felony drug conviction.  

Fleming was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Fleming was sentenced to two 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.

Fleming 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 Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the United States Marshals Service.  

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The case file number is 25-CR-00065.

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A Dubuque man who possessed methamphetamine intending to distribute it was convicted by a jury on April 23, 2026, after a four-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Justin Noel Allen, age 43, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  The verdict was returned following about four hours of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that law enforcement officers stopped Allen on March 24, 2025.  During the stop, officers realized Allen had outstanding arrest warrants.  Officers arrested Allen and located just over 15 grams of methamphetamine and one gram of fentanyl on his person.  Allen was previously convicted of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine in 2017 in Illinois and a controlled substance violation in 2025 in Iowa.  Expert witnesses established that 15 grams of methamphetamine was consistent with distribution amounts of methamphetamine, and not personal use.  

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Allen remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Allen faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers, and was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dubuque Drug Task Force, the Dubuque Police Department, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory.  

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The case file number is 25-CR-1029.

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A Coralville woman who initiated a bankruptcy case in order to defraud a nursing home out of more than $70,000 pled guilty on April 22, 2026, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.  Donita Rose Eckrich, age 64, from Coralville, Iowa, was convicted of one count of bankruptcy fraud.

In a plea agreement, Eckrich admitted that, in 2021 and 2022, a former nursing home resident was suffering from severe cognitive impairments and unable to manage the resident’s financial affairs.  The resident owed a nursing home over $150,000 for care since 2019.  The resident had assets, including valuable real estate in Holy Cross, Iowa, and an annuity check from an insurer in the amount of nearly $75,000.

Eckrich devised a scheme to defraud the nursing home by fraudulently concealing and transferring the nursing home resident’s assets and otherwise violating the bankruptcy laws of the United States.  For example, Eckrich caused an attorney to file a bankruptcy case in the former nursing home resident’s name, but hid the annuity check from the nursing home and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa.  Once the bankruptcy court discharged the former nursing home resident’s debt to the nursing home, Eckrich cashed the insurance company’s check and made five cash withdrawals of $15,000 each in order to conceal the location of the annuity money.

Eckrich and others at her request also created a “quit claim deed” in which the former nursing home resident purported to convey real estate in Holy Cross to Eckrich for “One Dollar(s) and other valuable consideration.”  Eckrich obtained the Holy Cross property free and clear of any debt to the nursing home and without using any of the annuity moneys to pay the debt owed to the nursing home.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Eckrich remains free on bond previously set.  Eckrich faces a possible maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, the Coralville Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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The case file number is 25-CR-94.

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A man who sexually exploited children and possessed child pornography was sentenced April 27, 2026, to 25 years in federal prison.

Dawson Sanderson, age 24, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the sentence after a November 13, 2025, guilty plea to one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography.  At the plea hearing, Sanderson admitted that, in 2021, he got minors to produce and send depictions of sexually explicit conduct to him.  He also admitted he possessed child pornography.  Information at the sentencing hearing showed that Sanderson used the Internet to attempt to persuade, induce, and entice four girls, and two of the girls sent him sexually explicit depictions of themselves.

Sanderson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Sanderson was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term, and he must comply with all sex offender registration and public notification requirements.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

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

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 25-51.

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A man who was convicted of his sixth felony offense after firing a gun eight times in a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, neighborhood was sentenced today to more than eleven years in federal prison.

Larnell Logn, age 41, from Frankfort, Illinois, received the prison term after a November 5, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

At the guilty plea, Logan admitted he had five felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing a gun.  His convictions included domestic abuse assault by strangulation and drug conspiracy.  He further admitted that on November 15, 2023, he possessed a 9mm handgun.

Evidence at sentencing showed that on the afternoon of November 15, 2023, Logan got into an argument with two people outside a home in Cedar Rapids.  Logan grabbed one of the people and demanded money.  The victim got inside the house and shut the door.  Logan kicked the door open.  He entered the home and assaulted the victim in the home.  After doing so, he said he was going to get his “30” and kill everyone.

Logan left the home.  A short time later, the assault victim and another person in the house heard gunshots in the backyard.  They looked out the windows and saw Logn driving away from the house.  Multiple neighbors heard the gunshots and saw Logan’s car driving away.

CRPD began looking for Logan’s car.  Just before 3:00 p.m. a CRPD officer located the car.  After the officer activated his lights and sirens, Logan sped away.  While fleeing, he reached speeds of at least 50 mph in a residential area.  At one point, Logan sped by a school bus with children nearby.  Officers were able to corner Logan and he stopped his car.  Logan got out of his car and ran.  Officers caught him, but Logan resisted until the officers were able to put handcuffs on him.

Officers searched Logan’s car.  They found a 9mm handgun in the car.  The handgun had an extended magazine capable of holding 32 rounds of ammunition.  There was a round in the chamber and 12 rounds in the magazine.  Logan was intoxicated at the time of his arrest.  

Logan was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Logan was sentenced to 137 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.

Logan 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 Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force.  The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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

The case file number is 24-cr-35.

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A man who unlawfully possessed a gun was sentenced on April 24, 2026, to five years in federal prison.

Nicholas John Baker, age 35, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 25, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.  Baker was previously convicted of conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance (methamphetamine), in the Iowa District Court for Jackson County in 2014.

On July 31, 2025, Baker possessed a gun during a domestic dispute.  Later that same day, officers searched Baker’s home and they found a stolen gun in the attic.  The gun was equipped with a 32-round magazine.  At the guilty plea, Baker admitted he knowingly possessed the firearm.

Baker was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Baker was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the Dubuque 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 25-CR-1044.

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A Cedar Rapids man who laundered over $20,000 in fraudulently obtained government loan moneys during the COVID-19 pandemic was sentenced on April 23, 2026, to more than two years in federal prison.  Joshua Brandon Johnson, age 34, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Elkhart, Indiana, received the prison term after a December 1, 2025, guilty plea to one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

In a plea agreement, Johnson admitted that, in June 2021, he received $20,208 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan proceeds.  The PPP was a forgivable loan program that Congress enacted in 2020 to help small businesses that were struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Johnson’s fraudulent PPP loan application falsely stated that he was a barber who had earned nearly $100,000 in 2020.

In his fraudulent PPP loan application, Johnson instructed that the PPP money be deposited into a bank account that he controlled in Cedar Rapids.  By 10:00 a.m. on the morning of the deposit of the fraudulently obtained government money into his account, Johnson withdrew $20,000 in cash.  Johnson later admitted that he quickly withdrew the PPP loan money in cash because he owed child support and knew the money could be garnished from his account.  Between 2021 and 2024, Johnson was in and out of prison in Indiana for failing to meet his child support obligations.

Johnson spent the remainder of the PPP loan money on fast food, at gas stations, and for home food delivery.  In August 2021, Johnson submitted a false application to have the government loan forgiven, falsely stating that he had spent the $20,208 from the loan on “Payroll Costs.”  When federal agents asked Johnson why his PPP loan application had false statements about his purported income as a barber, Johnson replied he was just “shootin’ [his] shot.”          

Johnson is a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history in Iowa and Indiana.  Johnson’s prior convictions include resisting law enforcement, theft, domestic-abuse assault, possession of controlled substances, and nonsupport of a dependent child.

Johnson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Johnson was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $20,208 in restitution to the United States Small Business Administration.  He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.  Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Johnson was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. 

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 25-CR-53-LTS.

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A Cedar Rapids man who possessed a gun after having six felony convictions was sentenced April 22, 2026, to five years in federal prison.

James Merlin Hall, age 48, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 19, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Information from the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Hall was previously convicted of six felony offenses.  On May 20, 2024, police officers searched Hall’s recreational vehicle and located a gun inside.  Hall was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his felony convictions.  

Hall was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Hall was sentenced to 60 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 Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Hall 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 Michael S.A. Hudson and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.  

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

The case file number is 25-cr-35.

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A man who possessed a firearm as a felon was sentenced on April 23, 2026, to 60 months in federal prison.

Blake Allen Ott, age 23, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 10, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.

In October 2024, while searching Ott’s home, law enforcement officers found a loaded gun in his bedroom.  They also found cash and marijuana around the home.  Evidence showed that Ott was involved in distributing controlled substances.  Prior to October 2024, Ott gave the gun to another person who used the gun to rob a home in Dubuque.  Ott was aware the gun would be used in a robbery.  Ott’s prior convictions include participation in a riot and robbery.  

Ott was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Ott was sentenced to 60 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.

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

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

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

The case file number is 25-CR-01038.

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A man who possessed a firearm as a felon was sentenced on April 22, 2026, to 24 months in federal prison.

Keontis Dontrell Cunningham, age 29, from Chicago, received the prison term after a November 14, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.

In 2024, as he was driving, law enforcement officers stopped Cunningham based on an outstanding warrant.  During the traffic stop, officers located a gun in the car.  Cunningham was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions, including an aggravated assault conviction from Tennessee.

Cunningham was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Cunningham 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.  Cunningham was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole L. Nagin and Dan Chatham and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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

The case file number is 25-CR-00062.

A prohibited person who possessed a gun was sentenced April 23, 2026, to more than three years in federal prison.

Nathan Frazier Stark, age 48, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 29, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

On January 24, 2024, officers searched defendant’s home in Dubuque, Iowa.  During the search, officers found a revolver that had an obliterated serial number, Stark’s cell phone, and a bag containing approximately 2.35 grams of methamphetamine on a table in the kitchen.  At the guilty plea, Stark admitted that he possessed the firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.  

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

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

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the Dubuque 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 25-CR-1004.

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As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19–25, 2026, United States Attorney Leif Olson announced the recipients of awards for outstanding work in service to victims of crime.

Receiving the Victim Services Award is Sarah Harms, victim-witness coordinator of the Statewide Prosecution Section of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. Receiving the Law Enforcement Victim Services Award are Deputy Erin Bennett, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office; Special Agent Holly Witt, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation; and Detective Christopher Wuebker, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

The Award for Victim Services honors individuals or groups working in a victim-service role. The Law Enforcement Victim Services Award is the highest federal honor for victim services presented to law-enforcement officers in Iowa.

“These recipients are heroes,” said Olson. “Victims and their families don’t ask to be made part of our criminal-justice system, but the system can’t succeed without their help. Ensuring that they are safe, respected, and understood throughout investigation and trial is crucial to making sure that justice is done. Deputy Wuebker, Deputy Bennett, Special Agent Witt, and Ms. Harms are role models, going above and beyond even the high standards of the local, state, and federal law-enforcement and victim-services teams serving Iowans every day.”

Detective Christopher Wuebker, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office. Detective Wuebker receives the Law Enforcement Victim Services Award for his work investigating a cold case involving a missing 15-year-old victim, Jade Colvin. Detective Wuebker coordinated a multi-agency investigation that spent countless hours putting together a case that resulted in a second-degree murder conviction.

Detective Wuebker’s investigation began after the U.S. Marshal’s Service determined that Jade had last been seen in Winneshiek County in 2017. She was in Winneshiek County for only five days and was never seen again. Detective Wuebker worked with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct interviews all over the country after identifying a suspect who was living in Georgia, James David Bachmurski, Sr, and finding evidence linking him to Jade. Bachmurski had moved from Winneshiek County and left behind a cell phone that was recovered during the investigation. Information from that cell phone put Jade at Bachmurski’s home and provided photos and text messages that showed her last few days were spent with Bachmurski. Deputy Wuebker did not just organize and analyze a tremendous amount of information to make the case against Bachmurski. He also connected with Jade’s family members, who were spread across the country, doing so even before charges were filed and keeping them updated on the status of the case. His communication with the family facilitated not only their cooperation, but also their commitment to pursuing justice for Jade.

Deputy Erin Bennett, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office; Special Agent Holly Witt, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation; Sarah Harms, Statewide Prosecutions Section, Iowa Attorney General’s Office. Deputy Bennett and Special Agent Witt receive the Law Enforcement Victim Services Award and Harms receives the Award for Victim Services for their work leading to the successful arrest of two predatory criminals alleged to have sexually abused a vulnerable young girl over a period of time.

Deputy Bennett began investigating when the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a vulnerable 18-year-old girl was being sexually abused. When she asked the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to assist, Special Agent Witt joined the investigation. Over several months, they built a case while building a close rapport with the victim. As a result of their work, the mother and mother’s boyfriend were arrested and charged with Human Trafficking, Kidnapping in the First Degree, Sex Abuse in the Second Degree, and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Harms was assigned as the victim-witness coordinator on the criminal case and immediately began supporting the victim and providing her with necessary resources.

When the victim signed herself out of the out-of-state residential facility where she had been placed, the team became concerned that she was again being victimized. They contacted local law enforcement while Harms travelled to the victim’s location. Thanks to their strong relationship with the victim, they were able to assist the local law-enforcement officers with calming and reassuring her while they arrested the man with whom she was found, and Harms remained on the phone with the victim for the duration of her trip to the site. Harms then accompanied the victim to a local hospital to support her during a sexual-abuse exam, and Special Agent Witt travelled to pick up the victim from the hospital to transport her personally to Des Moines (and stay with her overnight) so the victim would not have to suffer yet another lengthy, traumatic interaction with a stranger. Harms, Deputy Bennett, Special Agent Witt, continue to make sure the victim is getting the services and resources she needs while the criminal cases against those accused of abusing her are pending.

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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa will commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 19–25, 2026.

This year’s NCVRW theme is Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities. The weeklong initiative promotes victims’ rights and honors crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. “This week gives us a chance to thank the people and organizations whose tireless work comforts victims of crime in Iowa, giving them support, life-saving services, and, most importantly, hope,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson.

NCVRW 2026 is commemorated in Iowa with many events across the state, including:

·           Sioux City Community Awareness Event: A large gathering at the Sioux City Convention Center featuring 30+ agencies to support survivors and share resources.

·           17th Annual “Go the Distance for Crime Victims” 5K: Held at Thomas Park in Marion to support victims’ costs.

·           Iowa Department of Corrections Annual Crime Victims’ Rights Week Commemoration: A presentation honoring deceased crime victims, their loved ones, and those that supported them through the criminal justice system. 

Olson also announced winners of awards given to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to crime victims in Iowa. The Award for Victim Services honors individuals or groups working in a victim-service role. The Law Enforcement Victim Services Award is the highest federal honor for victim services presented to law-enforcement officers in Iowa.

Receiving the Victim Services Award is Sarah Harms, victim-witness coordinator of the Statewide Prosecution Section of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. Receiving the Law Enforcement Victim Services Award are Deputy Erin Bennett, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office; Special Agent Holly Witt, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation; and Detective Christopher Wuebker, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

NCVRW began in 1981 to honor victims and survivors of crime, raise awareness of victims’ rights and services, and recognize the dedication of those who work with crime victims.

For additional information about this year’s NCVRW activities and more ideas on supporting crime victims, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov.

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A man who distributed child pornography to multiple people was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison.

Jonathan Reed Snow, age 26, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 24, 2025, guilty plea to distribution of child pornography.

Evidence at sentencing showed that in August 2024, law enforcement officers searched Snow’s home and seized electronic devices.  Officers discovered that between September 2023 and August 2024, Snow distributed, received, and possessed child pornography in Discord accounts and on multiple electronic devices.  Snow traded child pornography with others online.  In total, he possessed over a thousand images and videos of child pornography, which included depictions of prepubescent children and of sadistic and masochistic conduct.

Snow was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Snow was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to make $24,000 in restitution to victims in this case.  He must also serve a 10‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.  

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

The case file number is 25-CR-1018.

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Valon Jackson, Jr., age 40, from Sioux City, was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison, after a November 5, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon and drug user.

Evidence in the case revealed on June 19, 2024, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a concerned citizen reported a reckless driver, later identified as Jackson, speeding through residential neighborhoods with no headlights on.  Officers located the vehicle and observed the car traveling at a high rate of speed, then abruptly stop, and park.  As officers activated their emergency lights, Jackson accelerated at a high rate of speed again with the headlights off evading police.  As Jackson fled law enforcement, another concerned citizen reported his reckless driving in another part of town.  Law enforcement proceeded to that area and located the vehicle.  As officers approached, Jackson began reversing in a reckless manner, leaving the roadway and hitting an unoccupied vehicle before again fleeing officers.  Jackson continued to flee, driving through a person’s yard, through driveways, and along Broken Kettle Road, where he struck yet another vehicle ultimately incapacitating his vehicle.  He then fled on foot but was apprehended a short distance away.  Jackson had blood-shot and watery eyes and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.  Officers located marijuana, cocaine and multiple items of drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.  After he was taken into custody, Jackson began making threats against law enforcement. 

On June 20, 2024, a citizen walking a dog on Broken Kettle reported finding a firearm in a yard.  Officers located the firearm and observed that it was on the Jackson’s flight path.  Fingerprint testing confirmed the firearm and loaded magazine bore Jackson’s fingerprints.

Jackson has a history of violence, a 2023 arson conviction, and a 2011 federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon.  Jackson left a location after a verbal altercation, retrieved a gun bearing a homemade silencer, and waited outside the location to ambush his victim.  Jackson repeatedly fired at his victim, hitting him once. 

Jackson was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 120 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.

Jackson 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 the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  This 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 24-4084.

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Scott Devries, 57, from Hardy, Iowa, pled guilty April 20, 2026, to one count of possession of child pornography in federal court in Sioux City.

At the plea hearing, Devries admitted that between January 2021 and August 2022, he possessed and received visual depictions of child pornography, which included prepubescent minors or a minor under the age of 12.  While executing a search warrant, law enforcement discovered 20 electronic devices that contained child sexual abuse material.  Forensic analysis of the devices found almost one million images of child pornography, some of which involved material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct as well as infants and toddlers. 

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.”

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Devries remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Devries faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case was investigated by Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Charles City Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation 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 25-3060.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

A man who received and possessed child pornography pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Isiah Michael Morse, age 22, from Tripoli, Iowa, was convicted of one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.  

Evidence at a prior hearing showed that in January 2024, law enforcement officers searched Morse’s person and seized a phone.  On the phone were images and videos of child pornography, including of prepubescent children.  Morse had paid for child pornography on at least two occasions.  In an interview with officers, Morse admitted that he had downloaded child pornography and then moved it to a “hidden folder” on his phone.  At the plea hearing, Morse admitted that between November 2021 and November 2023, he received child pornography, and that between May 2023 and January 2024, he possessed child pornography on his phone.  

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.”

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Morse was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Morse faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, $62,200 in special assessments, and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Johnson County Joint Forensic Analysis Cyber Team, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office.  

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

The case file number is 25-CR-2036.

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A man who came to Iowa from Minnesota and did not register with the state sex offender registry was sentenced on April 15, 2026, to more than two years in federal prison.  Blake William Johnson, age 31, from Austin, Minnesota, received the prison term after a December 29, 2025, guilty plea to failure to register as a sex offender.

Information from sentencing and other hearings showed that Johnson was previously convicted of electronic solicitation of children in 2022 in Minnesota after he repeatedly messaged an online profile represented to be that of a female child under the age of fifteen.  The profile was operated by an undercover law enforcement agent.  Johnson sent explicit messages to the profile, including pictures of his genitals.  In July 2025, Johnson absconded from correctional supervision in Minnesota.  He began living in Iowa and was arrested on August 21, 2025.  Johnson did not register with the state of Iowa sex offender registry as he was required to do.  In addition to his sex offense conviction, Johnson’s criminal history includes convictions for drug possession, burglary, domestic assault, and violating a no contact order.       

Johnson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Johnson was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Johnson 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 Marshals Service and the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 25-CR-2057.  

A licensed pharmacist who created fake patient profiles to steal prescription drugs containing controlled substances was sentenced on April 15, 2026, to a three‑year term of probation.

Ryan Paul Etscheid, age 40, from La Salle, Illinois, received the sentence after an October 27, 2025, guilty plea to acquiring a controlled substance by means of misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge.

Information from sentencing and public court records showed that on July 9, 2023, Etscheid worked a shift at a pharmacy in Waterloo, Iowa.  Etscheid created three fake patient accounts and dispensed prescription drugs containing controlled substances, including oxycodone, under the fraudulent accounts.  Etscheid used similar methods to acquire controlled substances while working as a pharmacist in Ottumwa on February 13, 2022, March 10, 2023, and May 23, 2023.  On August 20, 2024, Etscheid pled guilty to three counts of acquiring a controlled substance by means of misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa in relation to that conduct and subsequently sentenced to three years of probation on December 20, 2024.  

Etscheid was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Etscheid was sentenced to three years of probation.  He was ordered to make $1,177.04 in restitution to the victim pharmacy.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  

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

The case file number is 25-CR-2041.

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A woman who stabbed another woman in the neck with a piece of trim that broke off in the victim’s neck was sentenced April 14, 2026, to more than five years in federal prison.

Ashley Thompson, age 38, from Tama, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 31, 2025, guilty plea to one count of assault causing serious bodily injury.

At the guilty plea, Thompson admitted that on January 14, 2024, she assaulted a woman on the Meskwaki Settlement near Tama, Iowa.  Thompson was in another person’s home along with the victim.  An argument between multiple people occurred.  Thompson picked up a loose piece of wooden wall trim.  She thrusted the piece of trim at the victim.  The wood hit the victim in the neck.  A piece of the wood broke off in the victim’s neck.

Law enforcement officers responded to the scene.  The victim was having difficulty breathing and appeared to be losing consciousness.  The victim was transported to Marshalltown and then to Des Moines for surgery.  The piece of wood was against the victim’s jugular vein but had not pierced it.  

Thompson has a lengthy criminal history.  She has four previous assault convictions in state court.  While detained in the Polk County jail in February 2024 following her arrest, she assaulted another inmate by throwing a cup of hot water at her.  She also has multiple convictions for child endangerment, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, disorderly conduct, and theft.

Thompson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Thompson was sentenced to 63 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.

Thompson 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 Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by Meskwaki Nation Police Department.  

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

The case file number is 24-cr-00069.

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A woman who lied to government agencies to receive benefit funds to which she was not entitled was sentenced to federal prison on April 13, 2026.

Gladys Louise Stephenson, age 48, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after an October 27, 2025, guilty plea to theft of government property, supplemental security income benefits fraud, and false statement or representation.

Information from the plea and sentencing hearings showed that between March 2017 and April 2022, Stephenson made false statements to the Social Security Administration to receive Social Security benefits.  Stephenson concealed her marital status and living arrangements, specifically that she was married to her spouse and that she lived with him.  During this time, Stephenson made the same false representations to the Iowa Department of Human Services in connection with her receipt of food and family assistance benefits. 

Stephenson also committed fraud in connection with two types of federal benefits authorized during the COVID-19 pandemic.  As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, Congress authorized forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses through a program called the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).  In May 2021, Stephenson applied for a PPP loan and represented that she operated a sole proprietorship with nearly $100,000 in gross income.  She received a PPP loan in the amount of $20,416 from the Small Business Administration based on those false representations.  Stephenson spent that money on her personal expenses, including hotel rooms and casino visits.  The CARES Act also authorized additional types of unemployment insurance benefits.  In January 2021, Stephenson applied for unemployment benefits and falsely said that she had been employed as a housekeeper but could no longer work due to COVID-19.  Based on these false statements, Stephenson received unemployment benefits to which she was not entitled.         

Stephenson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Stephenson was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment.  She was ordered to make $106,058.97 in restitution.  Stephenson was ordered to pay $58,950.97 to the Social Security Administration; $15,123 to the Iowa Department of Human Services; $20,416 to the Small Business Administration; and $11,569 to Iowa Workforce Development.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Stephenson was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on May 11, 2026.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.  Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.  

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

The case file number is 24-CR-0096.

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