Northern District of Iowa

A man that conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed firearms was sentenced November 10, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Diego Ayala, 31, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on July 15, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of a prohibited person in possession of firearms.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that from between September 2020 and continuing to on or about January 7, 2021, Ayala and others conspired to distribute more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine. Over the course of several weeks, in four separate transactions, one out-of-state source transported and sold more than ten pounds of methamphetamine to Ayala in Sioux City for further distribution.    Another out-of-state source transported and sold more than five pounds of methamphetamine to Ayala for further distribution.  On January 7, 2021, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of one pound of methamphetamine from Ayala.  Subsequently, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ayala’s residence and seized four more pounds of methamphetamine and two guns, an unloaded 9mm handgun and a loaded MP-15, assault style rifle.  Law enforcement also seized 68 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition, 84 rounds of 9mm caliber ammunition, and 120 rounds of 5.56 ammunition from several different locations in Ayala’s residence.  Ayala admitted he planned on distributing the methamphetamine seized to other persons.  Ayala also admitted to being an unlawful user of methamphetamine while in possession of firearms.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Ayala was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment and must serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  Ayala remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. 

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

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

The case file number is 21-4002.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Des Moines man, who was involved in the importation and distribution of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine was sentenced today to 16 years in federal prison. 

Rogelio Lemus Hernandez, age 21, from Des Moines, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a May 6, 2021 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that, in 2017, law enforcement began investigating a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring operating out of Mexico.  The head of the organization, Mario Hernandez, was based in Mexico and worked with others, included Lemus Hernandez, to transport kilogram quantities of methamphetamine into Iowa.  Lemus Hernandez was intercepted on a wiretap investigation speaking with Mario Hernandez.  The two arranged for the transportation of methamphetamine into Iowa.  In June 2020, law enforcement stopped a car occupied by Lemus Hernandez.  The stop took place outside of Des Moines, Iowa.  The car had travelled to Iowa from Texas.  Inside the car, officers found nearly 5,000 grams of pure “ice” methamphetamine.  Lemus Hernandez and an associate picked up the methamphetamine in Texas and drove it back to Iowa for the purpose that it be redistributed.  In total, Lemus Hernandez’s role in the group involved over 43,000 grams of methamphetamine. 

Lemus Hernandez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Lemus Hernandez was sentenced to 192 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.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery.  This case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Mid-Iowa Task Force (Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Marshalltown Police Department), Iowa National Guard and Counter Drug Program, Tri-County Task Force (Cedar Falls Police Department, Waterloo Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

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

The case file number is 20-CR-2034.

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David Alan Tafolla, age 54, from Oelwein, Iowa, pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. 

At the plea hearing, Tafolla admitted that he conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine.  In a plea agreement, Tafolla also acknowledged that he purchased pounds of methamphetamine.  He further admitted that during a search of his home, law enforcement discovered more than 400 grams of methamphetamine, three grams of marijuana, and approximately $36,000 in cash.  In the plea agreement, Tafolla admitted that, in addition to the methamphetamine found in his home, he distributed another 265 grams of methamphetamine.

Sentencing before United States District Court C. J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Tafolla remains in custody of the United States Marshal. Tafolla faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a $10,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of up to life.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Oelwein Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

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

The case file number is 21-CR-2044.

A Guatemalan man who was illegally in the United States while possessing a firearm was sentenced November 8, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

On June 16, 2021, Sergio Mendez-Perez, 26, from Guatemala, pled guilty to illegal reentry and alien in possession of a firearm.

Evidence at the hearings showed that on March 17, 2021, Mendez-Perez was arrested in Woodbury County, Iowa after pointing a gun at the home of a former employer in a threatening manner, and then fleeing from law enforcement both in his vehicle and on foot.  Mendez-Perez, who was determined to be intoxicated, also resisted arrest.  On March 18, 2021, ICE determined that Mendez-Perez was a citizen of Guatemala, and had been removed from the United States on one occasion after a conviction for presenting a false document to officials. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Mendez-Perez remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.  Mendez-Perez was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment for both counts to be served concurrently and must serve 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment.  He must also pay a mandatory special assessment of $200.    

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Sioux City Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 21-4026. 

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A man who unlawfully stored and transported hazardous waste was sentenced on November 8, 2021, in federal court. 

Aaron Rochester, 47, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on March 19, 2021, to one count of unlawful storage of hazardous waste and one count of transportation of hazardous waste.

At various court hearings, evidence showed that from June 2015 through about January 2017, Rochester, as owner and operator of Recycletronics, knowingly and unlawfully stored and transported hazardous waste, namely CRTs (cathode ray tubes) and leaded glass from televisions and computers at various facilities in and around Sioux City, Iowa. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Rochester was sentenced to three years’ probation, fined $4,055,978.64, and must serve a term of three years of supervised release.

“Rochester’s disregard for the laws governing proper hazardous waste transportation and storage posed significant risks to nearby communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Lance Ehrig of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Iowa. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that EPA and our law enforcement partners are committed to enforcing laws designed to protect human health and the environment.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

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

The case file number is 18-4073.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A drug user who possessed marijuana and a firearm was sentenced November 8, 2021, to federal prison.

Anthony Jon Chan-Vance, age 43, from Marion, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 5, 2021 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user.

In a plea agreement, Chan-Vance admitted he possessed a gun while he was an unlawful user of marijuana.  He also admitted that he provided marijuana to his friends.  Evidence at various hearings in the case showed that law enforcement officers searched Chan-Vance’s home in 2019.  During the search, officers found a .40 caliber handgun.  Officers also found a distribution quantity of marijuana in the home.  At sentencing, the court found that Chan-Vance possessed the gun in connection with his possession of marijuana that he intended to distribute.

Chan-Vance was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Chan-Vance was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment and fined $10,000.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Marion Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 20-cr-86.

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A man who possessed two firearms and admitted to buying over a pound of methamphetamine was sentenced on November 5, 2021, to more than seven years in federal prison.

Todd Fritz Groom, age 33, from Boscobel, Wisconsin, received the prison term after a May 3, 2021 guilty plea to possession of firearms by a prohibited person.

Information from Groom’s guilty plea and sentencing hearings showed that on September 24, 2020, deputies from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant for stolen property at a residence in Clermont, Iowa.  After discovering that there were drugs in the house, the deputies obtained and executed a second search warrant for drugs and drug-related items.  They found two firearms in a backpack with other items belonging to Groom.  Groom was previously convicted of four felony offenses and was a methamphetamine user.  Groom later admitted to a deputy that, a couple weeks before the search, he had bought 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine for redistribution and that one of the subjects he dealt with was involved with a drug cartel.        

Groom was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Groom was sentenced to 86 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.

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

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

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Geocaris and Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 21-CR-2015.

A man who illegally possessed three firearms was sentenced to over three years in federal prison.

Jonathon Sotres-De La O, age 20, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 19, 2021, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user and one count of receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment.  At the time Sotres-De La O possessed the firearms and ammunition he knew he was an unlawful user of controlled substances.

Evidence at Sotres-De La O’s detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed that despite his young age Sotres-De La O was already a recidivist.  In May of 2019, he received a deferred judgment in the Iowa District Court for Harrison County, but was unable to successfully complete the relatively short term of probation. In June of 2020, during an investigation of a shooting perpetrated by roommates and friends, Sotres-De La O was found in possession of a rifle, ammunition, illegal drugs, and drug use paraphernalia. He was charged federally with this crime, and he was released on pre-trial supervision to await trial.  While on release, on March 6, 2021, Sotres-De La O was stopped by police while driving his car. Sotres-De La O was searched, and two boxes of ammunition were found in the glove box.  A white backpack was also located in the car and it was searched.  Two stolen handguns, marijuana, cocaine, and other items were found inside the bag.

Sotres-De La O was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Sotres-De La O was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 6-month term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Sotres-De La O is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

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

The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney. 

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

The case file number is 20-4079.

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A felon and convicted domestic abuser who possessed firearms was sentenced November 5, 2021, to 27 months in federal prison.

Jason Drew, age 38, of Gladbrook, Iowa, received the sentence after a May 11, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms.  At the plea hearing, Drew admitted that, on February 26, 2020, he knowingly possessed two revolvers after having been convicted of two crimes punishable by more than one year of imprisonment and after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.  The record at the sentencing hearing established that Drew also was a drug user. 

Drew was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Drew was sentenced to 27 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 was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 20-74.

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A man who possessed a firearm as a felon was sentenced on November 3, 2021, to more than 5 years in federal prison.

Joel Dawdy, age 31, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 21, 2020, guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence at his change of plea, detention, and sentencing hearings revealed that on January 28, 2020, officers attempted to stop a vehicle in which Dawdy was a passenger.  Dawdy exited the car, ran, and during the pursuit jettisoned a loaded gun.  After pleading guilty to his crime, he violated the conditions of his supervised release, absconded from supervision, and had to be found and arrested by the United States Marshal Service.    

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

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

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

The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. 

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

The case file number is 20-CR-4030.

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A Humboldt, Iowa man who possessed a gun and ammunition as a felon was sentenced November 4, 2021 to more than 2 years in federal prison.

DJ McMillan, age 31, from Humboldt, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 9, 2021, guilty plea to possession of a stolen firearm and ammunition by a felon.  In a plea agreement, McMillan admitted he was convicted of burglary 3rd in 2014, and knew he was prohibited from possessing guns and ammunition.  McMillan possessed a stolen gun while shoplifting from Target on November 25, 2020.  McMillan also possessed ammunition when he shoplifted from Menard’s earlier that same day.

McMillan was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  McMillan was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  McMillan is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ron Timmons and Mikala Purdy-Steenholdt, and investigated by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office. 

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

The case file number is 21-3004.

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A drug user who unlawfully possessed multiple firearms was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison.

Chandrique Day, age 21, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 14, 2021 guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a drug user.

Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that Day possessed multiple handguns, some of which were equipped with an extended magazine.  In addition, Day possessed an AR-15 rifle equipped with a high-capacity magazine.

Day was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Day was sentenced to 120 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 was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams 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 21-CR-2007.

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Clyde Bell, age 40, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  The charge is contained in an Indictment unsealed on October 29, 2021, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.  

The Indictment alleges that, in October 2020, Bell possessed a pistol while being a prohibited person.  The Indictment alleges that Bell previously was convicted of two felonies, that he previously was convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and that he was an unlawful user of marijuana, cocaine, and MDMA. 

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

Bell appeared for a detention hearing today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was released on bond.  Bell’s next appearance for trial is set for January 3, 2022.

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

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. 

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 21-46. 

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A man who made several social media posts posing with guns and marijuana was sentenced today to nearly three years in federal prison.

Joshua Adam Rode, age 24, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 30, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Rode admitted he had made several social media posts depicting himself with marijuana and firearms.  Waterloo police officers then located Rode sitting in his car in a residential neighborhood in Waterloo.  Officers approached Rode’s car, smelled the odor of marijuana, and asked him to step out of the car.  Rode then retrieved an item from under the driver’s seat and attempted to run through responding officers.  The officers stopped Rode and arrested him, finding a loaded handgun, with a round chambered, underneath Rode on the ground.  Officers then found marijuana inside Rode’s car. 

Rode was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Rode was sentenced to 33 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 was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Rode 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 Waterloo Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Gillespie and Dan Chatham. 

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

The case file number is 21‑CR‑02036-CJW‑MAR.

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A man who was illegally in the United States was sentenced November 1, 2021, to 57 days imprisonment.

Gabriel Grima-Sanchez, 47, from Mexico, received the prison term after an August 18, 2021, guilty plea to illegally re-entering the United States.

At the guilty plea and sentencing hearing, evidence showed that Grima-Sanchez was arrested on March 28, 2016, in Sioux City, Iowa for Domestic Abuse Assault and was released on March 30, 2016, from custody on a state bond.  Subsequent investigation revealed Grima-Sanchez was an alien who had been ordered removed from the United States and was most recently removed on May 11, 2005.  On April 30, 2016, a federal indictment and arrest warrant were issued against Grima-Sanchez for illegal re-entry.  On June 23, 2021, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Grima-Sanchez.  Defendant was then taken into custody on the federal warrant.  

Grima-Sanchez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Grima-Sanchez was sentenced to time served of 57 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release, pay a fine of $1,000, and pay a special assessment of $100.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  

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

The case file number is 16-4044. 

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A former curriculum and technology director and principal who stole at least $250,000 from the private school system in which he worked pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Todd Charles Wessels, age 49, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of wire fraud.  In a plea agreement, Wessels admitted he was the Curriculum and Technology Director for a private, religious, not-for-profit school district in Dubuque.  Wessels was responsible for ensuring that the school district met the technology needs of approximately 1,800 students at its high school, middle school, and elementary schools.  Before 2016, Wessels also served in a dual role as the principal of one of the elementary schools.

Beginning on an unknown date but no later than June 2011, Wessels devised and executed a scheme to make purchases for his own benefit with the school district’s funds.  Wessels made purchases of pre-paid debit cards using the school district’s store credit cards at area businesses upon the false and fraudulent pretense that he needed funds for “apps” for students’ computers.  Wessels then electronically transferred the balances of the pre-paid debit cards to another account that he controlled at PayPal, Inc., an electronic payment transfer system based in California.  Wessels had, without the school district’s knowledge, falsely and fraudulent opened the PayPal account in the school district’s name but under the handle “WENWESS”.  Finally, Wessels provided the school district receipts for the purchases of the pre-paid debit cards on the false and fraudulent pretense that the use of the store credit cards was for legitimate purchases.  Wessels also sold the school district’s computer equipment on third-party Internet websites without its knowledge or permission.

In July 2019, a new chief administrator at the school district began looking into Wessels’s spending practices.  Wessels repeatedly lied to administrators and submitted fraudulent invoices and receipts to them in order to conceal his scheme to defraud.  At meetings in January and February 2020, Wessels provided hardcopy versions of false, fraudulent, and fictitious spreadsheets purporting to show the apps he had purchased.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Wessels remains free on bond pending sentencing.  Wessels faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 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 Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 21-CR-1031.

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A woman who sold fentanyl in Cedar Rapids pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Ladonna Cynthia Givens, age 32, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

In a plea agreement, Givens admitted that she agreed with another person to distribute heroin on multiple occasions in January 2021.  Givens admitted that the other person would receive orders from drug customers, but that Givens would arrive at the meeting location and distribute the drugs.  She also admitted that on two occasions in January 2021, Givens sold $500 worth of purported heroin, which was later determined to contain both heroin and fentanyl. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Givens was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Givens faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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

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

The case file number is 21‑CR‑00033‑CJW‑MAR.

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Steven Springer, 54, from Hampton, Iowa, pled guilty on October 21, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City, to conspiracy to distribute heroin while possessing a firearm in furtherance of that crime.

Springer was previously convicted on May 22, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, of the manufacture of methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Springer admitted that between December 2020 and February 2021, he was involved in a conspiracy that distributed heroin and methamphetamine.  Springer admitted to being paid to receive packages of meth and heroin from sources in Mexico, to redistribute those drugs to other persons as directed, and to wire drug proceeds back to the source in Mexico.  On February 4, 2021, Springer ultimately received over 920 grams of heroin, hidden inside footwear, sent from Mexico to Iowa through the United States Postal Service.  At the time of his arrest, Springer was also in possession of more than 14 grams of pure methamphetamine, a .380 caliber handgun, with loaded magazine, a small quantity of marijuana, and a quantity of psilocybin (mushrooms).  Springer possessed the firearm for protection while distributing drugs.  About one month previous to his receipt of the heroin, Springer had received approximately ½ pound of methamphetamine, from the same source in Mexico, which he redistributed in central Iowa.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Springer remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Springer faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $8,000,000 fine, and eight years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Wright and Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices, and Iowa DCI Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 21-3013.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty October 21, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Dustin Joe Martinez, 33, from Sutherland, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Martinez was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on June 3, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.

At the plea hearing, evidence showed that from 2019 to approximately March 2021, Martinez and others distributed at least 250 grams of methamphetamine mixture and 100 grams of pure methamphetamine.  On two separate occasions, in March of 2020 and March of 2021, Martinez was found in possession of approximately one ounce of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to another person or persons. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Martinez remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Martinez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $8,000,000 fine, and at least 8 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Spencer Police Department, O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 21-4032.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who fraudulently solicited artist booking deposits and other expenses for concerts that never occurred was sentenced on October 20, 2021, to more than six years in federal prison.  Romel Murphy, age 43, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a January 8, 2021 guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.

Information from a plea agreement and at sentencing showed that Murphy operated a talent booking agency that ostensibly booked artists for performances at concert venues around the United States.  From about November 2017 through March 2019, Murphy used his business to induce potential clients to send him funds to secure artists’ performances at concerts.  For instance, Murphy sent signed contracts to victims that appeared to have come from the artists.  In fact, Murphy had drafted and signed the contracts himself.  The victim would sign the contracts and wire deposit funds to Murphy.  Murphy did not send the money to the artists and converted the funds to his own use, including gambling.  As the concert dates approached and the victims had advertised the concerts, the victims would discover that the artists had not received any funds, frequently through communications from the artists’ actual representatives.  In total, Murphy defrauded his victims out of more than $410,000.  Murphy had three prior convictions for federal fraud-related offenses.  He committed two of those offenses while on federal supervised release.           

Murphy was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Murphy was sentenced to 77 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $414,433.23 in restitution to the victims of his offense.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 20-CR-0006.

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A Sioux City woman who conspired to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine pled guilty on October 18, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Heather Sorgdrager, age 41, from Sioux City was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  At a plea hearing, Sorgdrager admitted to conspiring to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in and around Sioux City.  Sorgdrager admitted to possessing methamphetamine in New Mexico that she said she intended to bring to Sioux City.  In April 2021, law enforcement in New Mexico found Sorgdrager and another individual with over 42 pounds of methamphetamine.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons 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 21-4031.

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A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty October 18, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Daniel Dickey, 34, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Dickey admitted that between December 2020 and continuing to April 2021, he and others conspired to distribute over 26 pounds of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area.  Dickey was recruited by a Texas-based meth organization to assist in the receipt of multiple shipments of liquid methamphetamine (for lab-based meth conversion), plus traditional vehicle transport of methamphetamine from Mexico to Texas to Iowa to South Dakota.  Evidence further showed that in March and April of 2021, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled drug/money transactions with Dickey in Sioux City, Iowa.  These transactions resulted in the seizure of more than one pound of methamphetamine, a sizable amount of liquid ready for chemical conversion into methamphetamine by a coconspirator, and about $40,000 in drug proceeds from Dickey.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by 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 21-4042.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty October 12, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Celestin Loux, 64, from Eagle Grove, Iowa, was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Loux admitted that on November 10, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Loux after receiving a report of a vehicle theft.  Law enforcement seized seven bags from Loux’s person totaling 14.39 grams of methamphetamine.  Evidence further showed that from December 2019 through February 2020, during three controlled drug-buy operations with law enforcement, Loux sold a total of 51.54 grams of methamphetamine. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Loux remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Loux faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 21-3024.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who illegally possessed firearms pled guilty October 18, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Reese Hageman, 36, from Marcus, Iowa, an unlawful user of methamphetamine, was convicted of possession of firearms by a prohibited person.

At the plea hearing, Hageman admitted that on April 18, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the farm residence of Hageman’s father and seized nearly two pounds of methamphetamine and several guns.  During the search warrant execution, law enforcement seized four guns, including an AR-style rifle, a small quantity of methamphetamine and drug -user paraphernalia, all attributable to Reese Hageman.  Reese Hageman further admitted that he was a regular methamphetamine user, and had been in possession over three rifles and a 410 shotgun. Federal law prohibits those using illegal drugs from possessing guns.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Hageman remains free on bond previously set.  Hageman faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney 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 21-4047.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A woman who distributed fentanyl to a man who overdosed pled guilty on October 14, 2021, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Emily Ann Nelson, age 29, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of distribution of fentanyl.

Evidence at a prior hearing showed that Nelson distributed a substance that was supposedly heroin to another person in July 2020.  That person used the substance, which turned out to be fentanyl, and overdosed, nearly dying.  First responders were able to revive the other individual using the opioid antidote, Narcan.  At the plea hearing, Nelson admitted she distributed the fentanyl to the person who overdosed.  The day after the overdose incident, a confidential informant working with the Dubuque Drug Task Force contacted Nelson to purchase heroin.  Nelson stole the money she was supposed to use to get the drugs.  About two weeks later, the confidential informant again contacted Nelson to obtain heroin.  This time, Nelson obtained the drugs as agreed, but used a portion of the drugs before she could be arrested by officers. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Nelson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Nelson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham. 

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

The case file number is 21‑CR‑01009‑CJW‑MAR.

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A convicted felon who unlawfully possessed a handgun was sentenced today to six years in federal prison.

Mitchell Berry, age 29, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 22, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence at sentencing showed that Berry was in a car stopped by Waterloo police officers on December 31, 2019.  Officers found a handgun in the car.  Berry’s DNA was found on the trigger and the magazine of the gun.

Berry has six prior adult criminal convictions.  Two of the convictions involved firearms.  In 2012, he was convicted of carrying weapons, specifically a .22 caliber handgun.  In 2015, he was convicted of conspiracy to intimidate with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm as a felon.

Berry was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Berry was sentenced to 72 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.

Berry 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 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. 

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

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

The case file number is 20-CR-2032.

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A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty October 12, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Matthew Sandoval, 28, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. At the plea hearing, Sandoval admitted that between on or about 2016 and continuing to on or about June 2021, he and others conspired to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated 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 21-4059.

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Taylor James Kruckenberg, age 29, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 15, 2021 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Kruckenberg admitted that in February 2020, law enforcement officers searched Kruckenberg’s car and recovered methamphetamine, $7,000, and a handgun.  On the same date, officers recovered over 1,600 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded shotgun from his residence.  At sentencing, the court found that Kruckenberg possessed the firearms in connection with his drug trafficking.  Kruckenberg had previous felony convictions for possession of a firearm as a felon, trafficking in stolen firearms, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

Kruckenberg was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Kruckenberg was sentenced to 277 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.

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

Kruckenberg 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 Alex Geocaris and Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tri-County Drug Taskforce, the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cedar Falls Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 20-cr-2038.

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A man who robbed and murdered another man was sentenced today to life in federal prison.

Matthew Barrett Robbins, age 49, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 3, 2021 jury verdict finding him guilty of robbery affecting interstate commerce, conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce, and using a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in a death that constitutes murder.

Evidence at trial showed that Robbins was a methamphetamine user who became unhappy with the quality of methamphetamine distributed by his source of supply.  Robbins, along with Danielle Busch and William Leo Yancey, concocted a plan to lure his drug dealer to a rural farmhouse outside of Ely.  Once at the farmhouse, Robbins used a sawed-off shotgun to rob the victim of a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine and approximately $150.  During the robbery, Robbins’ firearm discharged, killing the victim.  Robbins then took steps to dismember and conceal the body by burning it in a burn pit in his back yard.  Robbins then discarded the ashes in the Cedar River.

Robbins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Robbins was sentenced to life in prison.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release if ever released from prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.  While announcing sentence, Chief Judge Strand said Robbins was “the poster child for a life sentence given the facts of this case and what the jury has found in this case.  Mr. Robbins absolutely deserves a life sentence.”

Busch and Yancey were previously sentenced on September 15, 2021.  Busch was sentenced to 120 months’ and one day imprisonment.  She must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  Yancey was sentenced to 400 months’ imprisonment.  Yancey is currently serving a 188-month prison term for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine and will begin serving this sentence once he finishes serving that term of imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. 

“Matthew Robbins’ criminal conduct resulted in a tragic death.  The hard work and team effort by the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation ensured he would be held accountable for his crimes.  Robbins earned every day of the life sentence the court imposed today,” said Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry.  “The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously prosecuting those who mix drugs, guns, and violence.”

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa C. Williams and Emily K. Nydle and was investigated by the Marion Police Department, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Iowa City Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Davenport Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Daytona Beach Shores Florida Police Department.  Assistance was also provided by the Waypoint Services Survivor's Program in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

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

The case file number is 19-cr-53.

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A man who previously was convicted of a federal drug trafficking offense was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison.

Michael Wayne Bailey, age 43, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 16, 2021 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after having been convicted of a serious drug felony.

At the guilty plea, Bailey admitted he was involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine beginning in late 2019 and continuing to March 2020. Baily was previously convicted in 2007 of federal conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of marijuana charges.

Bailey was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Bailey was sentenced to 153 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

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

The case file number is 20-cr-78.

A felon who escaped from a Waterloo halfway house following a federal gun conviction and was later found with a stolen firearm was sentenced on October 14, 2021, to more than five years in federal prison.

Nicholas Cameron Anderson, age 32, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 29, 2021 guilty plea to one count of escape from custody and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Court records show that Anderson pled guilty in 2016 in the Northern District of Iowa to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He was sentenced in 2017 to 63 months in federal prison.  While Anderson was still a federal inmate serving that sentence, he was housed at a residential re-entry center in Waterloo, Iowa.  In September 2020, Anderson left custody without authorization after being arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia in the Waterloo facility.  He was found in January 2021 in Dubuque after he kicked in a woman’s door following an argument over a cell phone.  Police found him in a nearby apartment.  He had hidden a stolen handgun on the back porch of the apartment, where it was found by the officers.  In addition to the federal firearm conviction, Anderson had previously been convicted of three other felonies in state court in Dubuque: theft from a person in 2007; burglary in the third degree in 2007; and escape in 2009.

Anderson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Anderson was sentenced to 69 total months’ imprisonment, comprised of 69 months’ imprisonment for the firearm charge and 60 concurrent months’ imprisonment for the escape.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

Anderson 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 Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham. 

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

The case file number is 21-CR-1010-CJW.  Anderson’s prior federal case file number was 16-CR-01030-1-LRR.

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A Cedar Rapids man who escaped from a Residential Reentry Center where he was completing a federal prison sentence was sentenced today to an additional 11 months in federal prison.

Dante Glinn, age 28, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 8, 2021 guilty plea to one count of escape from federal custody.

At the guilty plea, Glinn admitted that on June 21, 2016, he was convicted for theft of a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer and received a 78-month prison sentence.  Beginning August 25, 2020, Glinn was moved to the Gerald R. Hinzman Residential Center to complete his federal prison sentence.  On September 30, 2020, Glinn signed out of the facility on an authorized pass to go to work and never returned.  The United States Marshal’s Service subsequently located and arrested Glinn on May 5, 2021.

Glinn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Glinn was sentenced to 11 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and investigated by United States Marshal’s Service. 

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

The case file number is 20-CR-00084.

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A Waterloo man who exchanged gunfire with others in the 900 block of West Fifth Street in Waterloo, Iowa, on July 31, 2020, pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Tony Terrell Campbell, age 37, from Waterloo was convicted of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

At the plea hearing, Campbell admitted he had a firearm on July 31, 2020, and had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses including three burglary offenses, theft of lottery tickets, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, and assault while participating in a felony. 

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

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Campbell remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Campbell faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and was investigated by the Waterloo 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 21-CR-2050. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

On October 15, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Matthew Robbins will be sentenced in federal district court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following his convictions at trial for robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in murder.    

On October 15, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office and law enforcements agencies involved in the investigation will hold a press conference at the United States Attorney’s Office in the federal courthouse, 111 Seventh Ave SE, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to discuss Robbins’ sentencing.  

Event Details

When:        October 15, 2021

Where:       Cedar Rapids Federal Courthouse (United States Attorney’s Office), 111 Seventh Ave. SE

Time:         1:00 p.m.

Press releases and interview opportunities will be available. 

To RSVP, please email Tony Morfitt at tony.morfitt@usdoj.gov or call 319-363-6333.

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A man involved in a traffic incident where two drivers called police on each other was sentenced October 12, 2021, to more than three years in federal prison.

Trever Carl Christopherson, age 32, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 25, 2021 guilty plea to being a drug user in possession of a firearm.

Christopherson was involved in a traffic incident on January 1, 2020, during which he and the other driver reported each other to police.  While investigating the incident, officers recovered a gun in Christopherson’s car.  Christopherson admitted during his plea hearing that he was a methamphetamine user at the time.  Christopherson was convicted of felony theft and extortion relating to separate incidents following the recovery of the firearm.  During a separate investigation, Christopherson was found in possession of a shotgun.  Christopherson had sawed‑off a portion of the barrel of the shotgun.

Christopherson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Christopherson was sentenced to 37 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 was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the North Liberty Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 20-cr-48.

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A convicted felon who unlawfully possessed a gun was sentenced October 12, 2021, to more than six years in federal prison.

Wonyae Black, age 24, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Information at sentencing showed that between March and June 2020, Black was connected to three incidents involving guns.  First, in March 2020, Black, while armed with a handgun, kicked down the door of a residence, pointed a gun at the occupant, and stole property from the residence.  Second, in June 2020, a gun was recovered at the scene of a shooting in Waterloo.  Black’s fingerprint was found on a round of ammunition in the gun. 

Third, on June 18, 2020, officers from the Waterloo Police Department attempted to stop the car Black was driving.  Rather than stop, Black fled, reaching speeds more than 25 mph over the speed limit.  Black eventually crashed into another occupied car, sending both cars careening into a tree.  The tree fell over and landed on two unoccupied cars.  No one was hurt.  Black got out of his car and fled on foot.  Officers caught up to him and saw that his hands were over the top of a fence.  On the other side of the fence, officers found a bag containing a handgun and marijuana.

Black has multiple prior criminal convictions, including convictions for assault causing bodily injury, carrying weapons, theft, interference with official acts, and felon in possession of a firearm.

Black was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Black was sentenced to 78 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 was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt 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 20-CR-2043.

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A man who illegally possessed a firearm and possessed crack cocaine he intended to distribute pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Patrick Green, age 50, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base, which is also known as crack cocaine.

At the plea hearing, Green admitted that he illegally possessed the firearm in July 2017 and that he possessed the crack in October 2018.  Green had previously been convicted of seven felonies, including four drug felonies, two armed robberies, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

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

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Green remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Green faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Dubuque Drug Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham. 

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

The case file number is CR‑19‑1018‑CJW‑MAR.

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A man who spent federal loan money intended for the purchase of cattle on his personal expenses, including gambling and alcohol, was sentenced on October 4, 2021, to ten months in federal prison.

Briar Robert Detwiler, age 26, from Bellevue, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 23, 2021 guilty plea to one count of conversion of property pledged to a farm credit agency.

Information from a plea agreement and at sentencing showed that the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency approved Detwiler’s loan request for $50,000 to purchase fifty beef calves in December 2017.  Detwiler then requested a disbursement of $9,000 of the funds, falsely stating that the money was for the purchase of cattle.  Detwiler immediately spent the $9,000 on construction materials for his personal residence.  Detwiler then asked for the remaining $41,000 of loan funds.  Of these funds, Detwiler spent $32,230.08 on 35 head of cattle.  Detwiler spent the remaining funds on gambling, bars, and food.  In October and November 2018, Detwiler sold 22 head of the cattle for $33,976.41.  As Detwiler later admitted, instead making any repayment towards the loan, Detwiler spent all of the proceeds he received from the cattle sales in a casino and in bars.    

Detwiler was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Detwiler was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $52,684.38 in restitution to the Farm Service Agency.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Detwiler was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on October 18, 2021.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. 

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

The case file number is 21-CR-1021.

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A Sheldon man who sold large amounts of methamphetamine he received through the mail pled guilty on October 7, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Scott Demers, age 39, from Sheldon, Iowa was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.  Demers admitted to receiving large quantities of methamphetamine through the mail and redistributing it.  Demers also admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of trafficking methamphetamine.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Demers remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  For conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Demers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.  For possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Demers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office; the Sioux City Police Department; the South Sioux City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

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

The case file number is 21-4019.

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A man who conspired with others to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes was sentenced October 6, 2021 to four years in federal prison.

Brandon Christiansen, age 40, from McCook, Lake, South Dakota, received the prison term after a May 12, 2021, guilty plea to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime.

Evidence at the detention, plea, and sentencing hearings showed that from about February 6, 2013 to June 30, 2020, Christiansen illegally acquired and illegally distributed as many as 56 firearms, all while he was also an unlawful user of illegal drugs.  Christiansen acquired the weapons by lying about his own drug use.  He then traded firearms to individuals involved in criminal activity in exchange for access to illegal drugs.  Some of these weapons were semiautomatic firearms capable of accepting large capacity magazines. 

On June 29, 2020, defendant’s home was searched, and defendant was interviewed.  At that time defendant estimated he had purchased approximately 56 firearms over the preceding five years.  Despite claiming he collected firearms, not one firearm was still in his possession at the time of his interaction with law enforcement.  Purchase records confirmed defendant acquired at least 23 firearms, from five different gun stores in Sioux City, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Six of the guns were recovered by law enforcement after defendant purchased them.  Five were recovered in the course of unrelated narcotics investigations, and the sixth was recovered in another unrelated police action.

The time between defendant’s purchase and law enforcement’s recovery of the guns ranged from five years (for a weapon that was recovered in Colorado in connection with a multi-pound drug investigation) to just 66 days (for a weapon recovered locally by law enforcement).

Christiansen was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Christiansen was sentenced to 48 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.

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

Christiansen 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, the North Sioux City, South Dakota Police Department, the Union County, South Dakota Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Department of Justice --United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The Case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. 

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

The case file number is 21-4020.

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A man who distributed over five kilograms of methamphetamine in the Dubuque area between 2018 and 2019 was sentenced today to more than ten years in federal prison.

Alan Julson, age 40, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  At the guilty plea, Julson admitted that on October 21, 2019, he intended to distribute at least 50 grams of pure methamphetamine.  Julson has prior convictions for his involvement with methamphetamine and, at sentencing, the court described Julson’s prior track record on probation as “horrendous.”

Julson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Julson was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment and fined $100.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

 Julson 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 Liz Dupuich and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department’s Drug Task Force. 

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

The case file number is 20-CR-1024.

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A man who conspired to distribute marijuana while possessing firearms in furtherance of the drug conspiracy was sentenced October 5, 2021, to more than 6.5 years in federal prison.

Tvonn Gully, 25, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 21, 2021, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Evidence at Gully’s plea and sentencing hearings showed that between April, 2019 and February, 2020, Gully was a pound-level dealer of marijuana and distributed at least 20 kilograms of marijuana to others during the conspiracy.  On April 18, 2019, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Gully’s vehicle in Fort Dodge.  During a search of Gully’s vehicle, officers located several baggies of marijuana and a loaded 9mm caliber handgun under the driver’s seat of the vehicle.  On February 11, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gully’s residence.  During the search, officers seized 400 Xanax pills, 2,165 grams of marijuana, a stolen .380 caliber Walther PK handgun, two cell phones, two digital scales, and $1,322 cash.  Gully had two prior state drug convictions which made him a career offender under federal law.                     

Gully was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Gully was sentenced to 93 months’ imprisonment but received a sentence reduction of 13 months and 19 days for time already served on a related state offense.  He must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Gully is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by Fort Dodge Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 20-3036.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed a firearm pled guilty October 5, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Joshua Currier, 31 from Spencer, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm.  Currier was previously convicted of Forgery, in the Iowa District Court for Dickinson County, on or about June 13, 2011, and Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow of Air/Blood in the Iowa District Court for Clay County, on or about August 9, 2017.  Both convictions prohibit Currier from possessing any firearm.

At the plea hearing, Currier admitted that between January 2020 and continuing to on or about February 2021, he and others conspired to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine.  Further evidence showed that, in December 2020, Currier possessed a Canik 9mm pistol as a prohibited person.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Currier remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  For the conspiracy offense, Currier 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 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.  For the firearm offense, Currier faces a possibly maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and not more than 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Iowa DCI Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 21-4037.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who possessed five firearms as a felon was sentenced today to more than nine years in federal prison.

Demond Rollins, age 21, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 19, 2021 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence in the case showed Rollins was in possession of a firearm as a passenger in a vehicle.  When police initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed through Waterloo.  Rollins tossed a firearm out of the car window and then ran from police when the vehicle stopped.  Rollins has two prior state court convictions for being a felon in possession of firearms. 

Rollins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Rollins was sentenced to 110 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 was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa C. Williams and Jacob Schunk 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 21-CR-2009.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who was found sleeping on the side of Interstate 380 with over three ounces of marijuana and a loaded handgun was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison.

Shawndell Phillip Smith, age 25, from Jackson, Mississippi, received the prison term after an April 16, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Information presented at the sentencing showed that in November 2020, law enforcement found Smith sleeping inside a vehicle parked on the side of Interstate 380 in Black Hawk County.  While speaking with the officer, Smith stated that he was “high” and “lit.”  Smith was arrested and during a search of his vehicle, the officers found a loaded pistol, with a round chambered, and three baggies containing a total of over 87 grams of marijuana.  Evidence at sentencing also showed that, while he was being held in custody pending sentencing, Smith punched two other Linn County Jail inmates in the head repeatedly.

Smith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Smith was sentenced to 102 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 was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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

The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Gillespie and Dan Chatham. 

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

The case file number is 21‑CR‑02011‑CJW‑MAR.

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A man who was caught with nearly two kilograms of marijuana and a loaded handgun was sentenced today to more than eleven years in federal prison.

Charles Robert Evans, age 33, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 6, 2021 guilty plea to one count of possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Information presented at sentencing showed that Evans was approached by Cedar Rapids police officers in April 2020, at which time he jumped out of his car and attempted to run from officers.  Officers were able to tackle and arrest him and found over $3,000 in cash on his person.  A search of the vehicle revealed over 1,800 grams of marijuana and a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number.  Evans admitted to possessing the marijuana with the intent to distribute it, and to possessing the firearm in furtherance of that drug crime.  In June 2020, Evans was again stopped by law enforcement in Victor, Iowa, and arrested.  A search of his vehicle on that occasion revealed over 250 grams of marijuana and over $6,000 in cash.  Evans had previously been convicted of 36 charges as an adult, including a felony crack distribution offense and multiple assaults.

Evans was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Evans was sentenced to a total of 137 months’ imprisonment, consisting of 77 months’ concurrent imprisonment on the possession-with-intent and felon‑in‑possession charges and 60 months’ imprisonment consecutive for possessing the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.  He must also serve a total of 5 years of supervised release after the prison terms.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

Evans 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 Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Alex Geocaris and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.  The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

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

The case file number is 20‑CR‑00089‑CJW‑MAR.

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Law enforcement agencies in the Waterloo, Iowa, area continue to make communities safer by partnering to reduce gun related crimes and violence.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa announced charges and arrests involving nineteen individuals charged with federal gun crimes within the last week. 

“Federal, state and local law enforcement remain committed to reducing violent crime by investigating and prosecuting offenses involving firearms,” said Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry.  “Those who carry guns and commit violence and those who put guns in the hands of violent individuals in our communities will be held accountable.” 

“Our focus has been two-fold, interrupting a subculture that illegally distributes firearms and holding members of their criminal organizations accountable, while targeting violent offenders whose indifference towards human life and the law made them a danger to the public,” said Waterloo Police Chief Doctor Joel Fitzgerald.  “We promised our stakeholders that there would be significant consequences for offenders, and this joint effort allowed us to keep our word. For those who continue to participate in criminal activity, it's only a matter of time.”

“Violence by neighborhood gang members poses a direct and dangerous threat to innocent victims and our communities.  Some of the people arrested this week are associated with gangs responsible for multiple homicides, drive-by shootings, and home invasions. Working alongside our law enforcement partners, FBI Omaha is focused on targeting the overall leadership of gangs that are driving the gun violence and other violent crimes in our communities,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel.  “We will continue working to identify, investigate, and apprehend criminals responsible for these types of violent crimes until their entire criminal enterprise is dismantled.”

“The ATF has no greater mission than keeping firearms out of the hands of violent criminals. These cases not only demonstrate the lengths to which criminals will go to acquire firearms, but more importantly, ATF’s expertise and commitment to investigating such violations of federal law,” said Frederic Winston, Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City Field Division, ATF. “With our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office, we will continue to work tirelessly to bring those who disregard the safety of our communities to justice.”

“We will continue to combat violence in our communities by apprehending violent offenders engaging in gang-related crimes through the strategic and precise targeting of gang organizations,” said Acting United States Marshal Christopher Barther.  “Using the full operational capabilities of the United States Marshals Service and its law enforcement partners, this mission will continue to be a top priority.”

The work of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Waterloo has resulted in the following charges in federal court in the last week:

Terrance Roby, age 23, Jyshawn Robertson, age 23, Ivan Clay, Jr., age 21, Davon Biddle, age 21, Alyssa Stovall, age 23, Jaheim Nickelson, age 19, Lloyd Allen, age 28, Dewon Campbell, age 22, Edward Roby, age 24, Destiny Harrington, age 21, Alissa Kucko, age 26, Abyehun Teferi age 26, Kalon Bruce, age 28, Xzavier Cummings, age 22, have all been charged.

The charges are contained in indictments filed within the last week in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.  Five additional defendants, whose charges remain under seal, have also been charged with violating federal firearm laws. 

The indictments against Campbell, Edward Roby, Terrance Roby, Robertson, Nickelson, Allen III, and Bruce allege that these individuals possessed firearms after previously being convicted of at least one felony offense. 

The indictment against Ivan Clay, Jr. alleges that on at least two separate occasions, Clay, Jr. possessed a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony offense.  The indictment also alleges that Clay, Jr., possessed marijuana with the intent to distribute it and that he possessed a firearm in relation to the drug trafficking offense. 

The indictment against Kucko alleges that she made a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, specifically, that she was purchasing the firearm for herself when in reality she purchased the firearm for another person.  The indictment also alleges Kucko possessed five firearms while being an unlawful user of marijuana. 

The indictments against Biddle, Stovall, and Cummings allege they possessed a firearm while being unlawful users of marijuana.

If convicted on these charges, all defendants face at least a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The indictment against Harrington allege that Harrington made a false statement when purchasing a firearm, specifically, she lied about her address and represented that she was not a user of controlled substance, when in fact she an unlawful user of marijuana.  If convicted on this charge, Harrington faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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

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

These cases were investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the United States Marshal’s Service.

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A Mason City man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced September 27, 2021 to 14 years in federal prison.

Cameron Brunstein, age 30, from Mason City, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

Brunstein admitted receiving pound quantities of methamphetamine and reselling it in and around the Mason City, Iowa area.  Brunstein was caught selling methamphetamine twice in Mason City.  Search warrants were conducted on Brunstein’s home, where law enforcement seized methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, LSD, and other pharmaceutical drugs, along with cash and distribution materials. 

Brunstein was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Brunstein was sentenced to 168 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Mason City Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

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

The case file number is 21-3007.

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A Mason City man was sentenced September 27, 2021 to nearly two years in federal prison.

Brett Wetter, age 46, from Mason City, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user.

In a plea agreement, Wetter admitted he possessed 10 guns while being a methamphetamine user.

Wetter was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Wetter was sentenced to 21 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Mason City Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

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

The case file number is 20-3007.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who was shot in the ankle during a shootout at a liquor store in Waterloo, Iowa, was sentenced today to two years in federal prison.

Demitrius Cannon, age 35, from Waterloo, received the prison term today after an April 21, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence at prior hearings showed that Cannon engaged in a shootout with Charles Ware at a liquor store in Waterloo during the early morning hours of September 25, 2020.  During the shootout, Cannon was shot in the leg and bullets went through multiple nearby windows.  Cannon was admitted to the hospital for his injuries and is currently confined to a wheelchair.  The judge at sentencing described the scene as reminiscent of the Wild West.  Cannon had previously been convicted of felony possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine in Wisconsin in 2003.  Ware, whose criminal history included 30 adult convictions, was previously sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment.

Cannon was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Cannon 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.

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

Cannon 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 Waterloo Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Schunk and Dan Chatham. 

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

The case file number is 20-CR-02063-CJW-MAR.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.