Northern District of Iowa

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced August 20, 2020, to ten years in federal prison.

Keith McNeil, 34, from Lincoln, Nebraska, received the prison term after a March 20, 2020, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

At the guilty plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that from May 2019 and July 2019, McNeil and others conspired to distribute at least 200 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine.  On or about June 12, 2019, Sioux City Police officers, while working an unrelated case at the Hard Rock Casino, seized about ¼ pound of methamphetamine from a vehicle in the parking lot, found unattended with its lights on.  Law enforcement identified the prior occupants of the vehicle by video surveillance.  Officers determined, and McNeil ultimately admitted, that he had another person drive him from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Sioux City, Iowa, to obtain methamphetamine through a middle-man.  McNeil also admitted that he had engaged in the same conduct, with the same persons, on June 8, 2019.

McNeil was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  McNeil was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  McNeil 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. 

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

The case file number is 19-4046.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced August 21, 2020 to more than 11 years in federal prison. 

Jacob Johnson, age 30, from Mason City, Iowa, pled guilty on March 17, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that from about May 2019 through October 2019, Johnson and others conspired to distribute at least 35 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine in Northwest Iowa. In June 2019, Johnson and a co-conspirator sold “fake” methamphetamine to an individual. In October 2019, Johnson and a co-conspirator agreed to sell more methamphetamine to the same individual and make good on the previous transaction.  After a vehicle pursuit, Johnson and his co-conspirator were caught with two ounces of methamphetamine intended for the same individual.  Officers also seized a sawed off shotgun and an axe during a search of the vehicle.   

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Johnson was sentenced to 140 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of 4 years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. Johnson remains in custody of the United States Marshal Service until he can be transferred to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Arnold’s Park Police Department, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 19-4079. 

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Kristi Johnson today highlighted the danger that counterfeit Adderall pills pose to those who may attempt to purchase prescription stimulants on the street.  Drug trafficking organizations are using counterfeit Adderall pills containing crystal methamphetamine to target those who may be addicted to prescription drugs but who otherwise would not use methamphetamine.  These pills increase the health risk and addiction rates of prescription stimulant abusers in the United States.

Following an investigation by the FBI, in February 2020 three individuals pleaded guilty to drug distribution conspiracy charges in relation to their involvement with a drug vendor who sold counterfeit Adderall pills.  Although the pills were marketed as “100% authentic” Adderall pills, the pills tested positive for methamphetamine, according to DEA laboratory testing.

United States Attorney Deegan stated, “Drug traffickers are trying to deceive people across the country into purchasing, using, and becoming addicted to methamphetamine.  They will do whatever they have to do in order to make money at the expense of the health and safety of those buying these fake pills.  The public must be aware that while these pills may look like prescription drugs, they actually contain a deadly controlled substance.”

Special Agent in Charge Kristi Johnson said, “The safety of our community is the priority of the FBI.  We are committed to stopping deadly drugs before they make it to the streets.  We also must remind the public that medications not obtained by legitimate means can result in severe health risks and even death.  I would ask that you to share this potentially life-saving message with your loved ones.”

These counterfeit pills are also dangerous because users who believe that they are purchasing Adderall will assume the pills are safe because they appear to be quality-controlled products of a heavily regulated prescription drug industry.  Instead, users may be putting powerful crystal methamphetamine into their bodies, which leads to increased addiction rates and health risks.  In July and August 2019, one vendor of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine attempted to attract resellers of his pills by posting on a darknet website “your customers body can’t tell the difference if it is amphetamine or meth.”

Unless prescription drugs are obtained from an authorized medical provider or pharmacy, the public should not consume or even handle these pills.  All Iowans are urged to only use prescription drugs prescribed to them by legitimate health care providers.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Alvin Lavon Rex, age 61, of Schaller, Iowa, Jerry Johnson, age 54, of Webster City, Iowa, and Brian Whorton, age 54, of Marion, Iowa, were all charged with COVID-19 related fraud offenses.  The charges are contained in separate complaints and an indictment recently filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa in Cedar Rapids and Sioux City. ­

The complaints and indictment separately allege that each of the three men fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits related to COVID-19 relief funds to which they were not entitled.  Rex and Johnson are charged with mail fraud and Whorton is charged with wire fraud. 

If convicted each man faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.­  All three men have appeared in federal court and were released without bond.

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

These cases are being prosecuted by multiple Assistant United States Attorneys and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Storm Lake Police Department.  Assisting in the investigation are the Sac County Sheriff’s Office, the State of Arizona’s Unemployment Insurance Benefit Fraud Investigation Unit - Office of Inspector General, the State of Massachusetts’s Program Integrity Unit - Department of Unemployment Assistance, and the State of Ohio’s Benefit Payment Fraud Control Unit - Department of Job and Family Services.

Rooting out COVID-19 fraud is a priority of the Department of Justice.  On March 27, 2020, the President signed the CARES Act, which provides emergency assistance to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased unemployment benefits. 

These prosecutions are an example of the Department of Justice’s strong commitment to combating fraud and criminal activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.   

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

The case file numbers are 20-CR-4062, 20-CR-3027, and 20-CR-0064.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who sexually exploited a child pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. 

Caleb Durr, age 19, from Hazel Green, Wisconsin, was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation of a child.  Testimony from the plea hearing and an earlier detention hearing established that, in 2019, Durr used an iPhone to produce sexually explicit images of an eight-year-old girl in Dubuque. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Durr remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Durr faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $55,100 in special assessments, and supervised release for 5 years to life following any imprisonment. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Waterloo Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. 

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

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 20-1010. 

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty August 13, 2020, in federal court in Sioux City.

Ernesto Soto, 30, from Hawarden, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

At the plea hearing Soto admitted that on February 5, 2020, Woodbury County, Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Soto was traveling in. Upon conducting a probable cause search within the vehicle, law enforcement discovered approximately 34 grams methamphetamine, 1.6 grams cocaine, baggies, and a glass smoking device with residue located in a black bag that belonged to Soto.  The methamphetamine, cocaine, and baggies were concealed in a pop can with a false bottom.  At least 5 grams of the approximately 34 grams was actual (pure) methamphetamine.  In May 19, 2014, Soto was convicted in the Iowa District Court for Sioux County, of intent to manufacture/deliver methamphetamine under 5 grams. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Soto remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Soto 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 4 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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

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

The case file number is 20-4033. 

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A drug user who possessed firearms and ammunition pled guilty on August 17, 2020, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Daniel Heim, age 32, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition.  At the plea hearing and in a plea agreement, Heim admitted that, in December 2019, he possessed 14 firearms and 3,398 rounds of ammunition while being a user of marijuana and cocaine. 

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

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, 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 20-1006. 

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Anthony Rush, age 31, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The charge is contained in an Indictment unsealed on August 14, 2020, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.  

The Indictment alleges that, in May 2020, Rush possessed a pistol after having been convicted of attempted burglary in the second degree in Linn County in 2012.

If convicted, Rush faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years on supervised release following any imprisonment.

Rush appeared on August 14, 2020, in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was released on bond.  Rush’s next appearance for trial is set for October 13, 2020.

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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department 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 20-62.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty August 19, 2020, in federal court in Sioux City.

Marissa Weisbly, 33, from Los Osos, CA, was convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Weisbly admitted that on February 8, 2020, while patrolling the Grand Falls Casino parking lot in Larchwood, IA, law enforcement ultimately recovered four bags containing 1,215 grams of actual methamphetamine, two digital scales, drug paraphernalia, $817 in a safe, heroin, and marijuana in the vehicle Weisbly shared with two others.  Weisbly further admitted that she and her co-conspirators had brought pounds of methamphetamine to the Midwest to distribute to others. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Weisbly remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Weisbly 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.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and was investigated by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Lyon County Attorney’s Office, and Iowa Department of Criminalistics Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 20-4064.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Christopher Ray White, 23, from Lettsworth, Louisiana, pled guilty and was sentenced August 12, 2020, to more than 10 years in federal prison for enticing a minor.

Evidence showed that White utilized Omegle and iMessage to communicate with the victim between June 22, 2018, and June 27, 2018.  The victim told White they were only 12 years old.  After learning the victim’s age, White requested to see the victim’s genitals.  White later sent photos of his erect penis to the victim and videos of himself masturbating and encouraged the victim to do the same.

White was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  White was sentenced to 126 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  White is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and investigated by Iowa Department of Criminalistics Investigations, and Spirit Lake Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 19-4073. 

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Nebraska man who attempted to entice a thirteen-year old for explicit sexual conduct was sentenced today to more than 10 years in federal prison.  In addition, the man, who had a prior conviction for domestic assault and stalking, illegally possessed ammunition.

Jeremy Kozak, age 39, from Columbus, Nebraska, received the prison term after pleading guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of possession of ammunition by a person previously convicted of domestic abuse.

In a plea agreement, Kozak admitted he used the username “Boredguy4girls” online to communicate with an underage victim he knew to be only thirteen-years old.  Law enforcement became aware of Kozak’s sexually explicit communications with the victim and took over the victim’s account in an undercover capacity.  Believing he was still communicating with a thirteen-year old, Kozak made plans to drive the three hours from Nebraska to Iowa, to meet the thirteen-year old victim at a local park and engage in sexual activity.  Kozak directed the thirteen-year old victim what to wear and when to leave home to meet him.  On August 12, 2019, Kozak arrived at the park and after seeing a decoy dressed in the agreed upon attire, Kozak drove towards the decoy but was apprehended by law enforcement.  Inside Kozak’s vehicle officers found a box of condoms, and shotgun ammunition that was illegal for Kozak to possess, because he had been previously convicted of domestic abuse. 

Kozak was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  He was sentenced to 128 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.

“As children are spending more and more time online due to COVID-19, we all need to do our part to keep them safe,” said U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan. “Child predators like Jeremy Kozak will use this time to try to manipulate kids into having sex or posing for sexually explicit photos. Parents and loved ones can help protect children by monitoring their computer and cell phone use and teaching them about the risks of communicating online with someone they don’t know.”  U.S. Attorney Deegan also acknowledged the great work of Iowa’s law enforcement in bringing Kozak to justice.  “Thanks to the outstanding investigative work of the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the cooperation of the Buena Vista County Attorney’s Office, a child predator was stopped.  We can all be proud of Iowa’s state and local law enforcement and their dedication to protecting children.”

Paul Allen, Buena Vista County Attorney stated, “This case represents what can be achieved when state and federal prosecutors and law enforcement work collectively to hold dangerous individuals accountable.”

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Darrell Simmons added, “Today I would like to recognize the outstanding team work and professionalism of Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Special Agent Matthew Burns and Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Joey Speers for their dedication and hard work on this important investigation.  Throughout the investigation, Mr. Kozak made numerous contacts with the minor and the ‘undercover officer’ eliciting inappropriate sexual acts and photographs of the 13-year old.  I have no doubt that if not for the intervention of Law Enforcement, not only would this 13-year old child have been victimized, other children would have been at risk from Mr. Kozak’s tactics.”

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

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

The case file number is 20-4022.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

On August 10, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., Jeremy Kozak will be sentenced following his conviction for attempted enticement of a minor.  Kozak, age 39, attempted to entice his victim, a 13 year-old girl, to engage in sexual activity.  Kozak communicated with the victim online.  Law enforcement took control of the victim’s account after Kozak attempted to entice her.  An undercover officer continued to communicate with Kozak.  Kozak eventually drove from Nebraska to Iowa for a meeting he thought would be with the victim.  Instead, law enforcement was at the meeting and arrested him.  Kozak faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum of life in prison.            

On August 10, 2020, at 4:00 p.m., representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office, the Buena Vista County Attorney’s Office, the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will hold a virtual press conference.  The purposes of the press conference will be to announce Kozak’s sentence and to discuss the dangers online sexual predators pose, particularly in a time when children are online more than ever.  

Event Details

When:        August 10, 2020

Where:       Virtual Press Conference via WebEx

Time:          4:00 p.m.

A press release and interview opportunities will be available. 

In order to participate, you must RSVP in advance and no later than 12:00 p.m. on August 10, 2020.  After you RSVP, you will be provided with details on how to join the press conference via WebEx.  To participate, please RSVP by sending an email to Tony Morfitt at tony.morfitt@usdoj.gov or calling 319-731-4025. 

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A drug user who shot at a car containing two people and unlawfully possessed twelve firearms was sentenced August 4, 2020, to more than eight years in federal prison.

Kashad Elijah Hawthorne, age 20, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 24, 2020 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user. 

Information from sentencing and a plea agreement showed that on May 2, 2019, Cedar Rapids police officers recovered a gun from a car in which Hawthorne had been a passenger.  Officers also found a gun in another car Hawthorne was riding in on May 16, 2019.  Hawthorne admitted that, on April 22, 2019, he used one of the two guns to shoot at a car containing two people.  No one was injured during the incident.  Photographs and videos from Hawthorne’s social media accounts showed him posing with firearms on at least thirteen occasions. 

Hawthorne was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Hawthorne was sentenced to 100 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force.  The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

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

The case file number is 19-CR-121.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A drug user who unlawfully possessed guns and who fired a warning shot to scare another person was sentenced August 4, 2020, to two years in federal prison.

Jordan James Booker, age 23, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 6, 2020 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a marijuana user.

In a plea agreement, Booker admitted that, on March 9, 2019, he shot a warning shot after an individual came to his house and attempted to buy a television with a counterfeit $100 bill.  When that individual refused to leave Booker’s property, Booker fired a shot into the ground.  Officers also recovered a second firearm from a closet in Booker’s residence.  Booker admitted that he has been a marijuana user his whole life.

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

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

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

The case file number is 19-cr-2048.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who shot another man in Waterloo was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison.

Alberto Quinto-Pascual, age 37, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 28, 2020, guilty plea to being a drug user in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Evidence at sentencing showed that on May 10, 2019, Quinto-Pascual met with a man at a bar in Waterloo.  The two men left the bar and went to a house in Waterloo where Quinto-Pascual had been staying.  While at the house, Quinto-Pascual retrieved a revolver he kept at the house and shot the victim in the head.  Quinto-Pascual then wiped down the firearm, left the house, and hid the firearm behind a car in a nearby alley.  Quinto-Pascual then went to a different house he also stayed at and, after nearly twenty minutes, called 911 to report the shooting.  Quinto-Pascual told police that the victim had shot himself.  Officers located the victim and transported him to a hospital.  The victim eventually passed away from the injuries.  During the sentencing, the court concluded that given the circumstances of the killing, Quinto-Pascual committed second-degree murder.   

Quinto-Pascual was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Quinto-Pascual was sentenced to 180 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.

"Quinto-Pascual killed a man with a gun he illegally possessed,” said United States Attorney Peter Deegan.  “Through Project Guardian and Project Safe Neighborhoods, we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute the most dangerous individuals in our community.”

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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 19-cr-2042.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Alvin Lavon Rex, age 61, from Schaller, Iowa, has been charged with one count of mail fraud.­  The charge is contained in a criminal complaint unsealed today in United States District Court in Sioux City. 

The complaint alleges that, in about May 2020, Rex received approximately $19,000 in deposits in his account at a bank in Storm Lake.  The deposits were moneys received from unemployment claims made in Massachusetts and Arizona.  The complaint further alleges that Rex then made a series of cash withdrawals from his account and mailed the cash to at least one other person in Maryland.

On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which provides emergency assistance to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The CARES Act includes a provision of temporary benefits for individuals who have exhausted their entitlement to regular unemployment compensation, as well as coverage for individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment compensation, are self-employed, or have limited recent work history.  The Complaint alleges that Rex received unemployment funds in the names of other individuals in Massachusetts and Arizona, which included Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Benefits (FPUC) of an additional $600 per week claimed, pursuant to Section 2104 of the CARES Act. 

If convicted, Rex faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.­

Rex appeared today in federal court in Sioux City and was released on bond pending further proceedings.  As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This prosecution is an example of the Department of Justice’s strong commitment to combating fraud and criminal activity related to COVID-19.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Storm Lake Police Department.  The Sac County Sheriff’s Office, the State of Arizona’s UI Benefit Fraud Investigation Unit - Office of Inspector General, the State of Massachusetts’ Program Integrity Unit - Department of Unemployment Assistance, and the State of Ohio’s Benefit Payment Fraud Control Unit - Department of Job and Family Services provided assistance to the investigation.

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

The case file number is 20-CR-4062.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who sold three deadly doses of opioids in April and May of 2019 pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Travis Gordon Jones, age 38, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances near a protected location resulting in death.

At the plea hearing, Jones admitted that he conspired with others to distribute the opioids in Dubuque in April and May 2019.  Jones also admitted that he personally sold mixtures of heroin, fentanyl, and a synthetic opioid called valeryl fentanyl that were used by three individuals who then died of overdoses.  One of the individuals died on April 24, 2019 after using drugs Jones had distributed.  Another individual died on May 20, 2019, after using drugs Jones had distributed. 

The third victim died on May 27, 2019.  Evidence at prior hearings showed that Jackie Birch drove her boyfriend, Mateusz Syryjczyk, and the third victim to Jones’s home in Dubuque during the early morning of May 27, 2019.  Birch and the third victim went into the home, where they purchased what was purported to be heroin from Jones.  The three then drove to a hotel in Dubuque, where they all used the purported heroin.  The third victim began to overdose in the room.  Birch and Syryjczyk did not immediately call 911, but, over the course of multiple hours, Birch would occasionally perform CPR on the third victim to restore some breathing function, though the victim never regained consciousness.  Eventually, Birch and Syryjczyk decided they needed to call 911, and Syryjczyk took the remaining drug paraphernalia from the room to prevent law enforcement from finding it.  The third victim never recovered.

Birch previously pled guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of a controlled substance.  Syryjczyk pled guilty to misprision of a felony.  Both Birch and Syryjczyk are awaiting sentencing.

Sentencing for Jones before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Jones remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Jones faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $2,000,000 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 for Jones is 19-CR-1037-CJW-MAR.  The case file number for Birch is 19‑CR‑1041‑CJW-MAR.  The case file number for Syryjczyk is 19‑CR‑1042‑CJW‑MAR.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

On July 27 and July 28, 2020, law enforcement officers executed twelve search warrants in the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa.  Search warrants were executed in Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Roland, and Marshalltown, Iowa.  As a result of the investigation and the execution of the search warrants, three people were charged with methamphetamine trafficking and arrested pursuant to arrest warrants issued in the Northern District of Iowa. 

The Indictment alleges that, between on or about January 2019 and on or about July 2020, Bobbey Dean Robey, Travis Charles Werkmeister, and Genaro Aguilar Lemus conspired to distribute methamphetamine.  All three appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.  If convicted, each 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 at least five 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Tri-County Drug Task Force, the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, the Iowa Counter Drug Task Force, and the Central Iowa Drug Task Force.

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

The case file number is 20-CR-2034.                            

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

On July 26, 2020, the nation celebrates the 30th anniversary of the landmark legislation known as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is proud to play a critical role in the Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts under the ADA.

The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in many         contexts, including employment, state and local government activities, places of public accommodation, transportation, and telecommunications. The Department of Justice is authorized to investigate complaints, conduct compliance reviews to ensure accessibility, initiate and intervene in litigation, and provide technical assistance to businesses, governments, and the general public to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA.

“Our office is proud to continue its work to enforce the ADA and to uphold its promise of equal access and opportunity for all,” said U.S. Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr.

Over the past 30 years, our country has undertaken the hard work of changing attitudes about disability, tearing down barriers to equality, and dismantling the systems that have historically excluded people with disabilities. On this anniversary, we commemorate the many ways that the ADA has transformed our society—by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration, and limitations with self-determination. The ADA has advanced the promise of the American dream, ensuring that people with disabilities can write their own stories.  And as a society, we are better and stronger because of the contributions that people with disabilities make.         

For more information on the ADA, please call the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. 

A man who assaulted his girlfriend before leading police on a high-speed chase was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison.

Richard Dale Ogle, II, age 31, from Eden, North Carolina, received the prison term after a November 12, 2019 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed Ogle was on parole after serving a prison term in North Carolina for assault with a deadly weapon which inflected serious injury.  Ogle absconded from parole and moved to Iowa to live with his girlfriend.  On March 16, 2019, Ogle held a gun to his girlfriend’s head and threatened to kill her.  Police responded to the residence and were able to remove the girlfriend from the home.  Ogle then left the residence in a vehicle, driving through the town of Cresco.  When he was near the high school in Cresco, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of his car.  Ogle refused to stop and led officers on a high-speed chase through Cresco and continuing into Winneshiek County.  The chase took place over the course of fourteen miles and involved speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.  During the chase, Ogle shot his gun six times at police.  Ogle eventually stopped his car and was taken into custody by law enforcement.

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

At the sentencing, Judge Williams noted that, “defendant’s serious violent criminal history and high likelihood at reoffending” warranted the statutory maximum sentence. 

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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Cresco Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol.   

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

The case file number is 19-CR-2041.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who bought drugs on the dark web and sold them in eastern and central Iowa was sentenced July 21, 2020, to more than six years in federal prison.

Jack Arthur Stumberg, age 22, from Grundy Center, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 27, 2019 guilty plea to conspiring and possessing with intent to distribute LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin mushrooms.

Evidence at the sentencing showed that, between about 2016 and 2019, Stumberg ordered large quantities of the party drugs over the “dark web.”  The drug packages were delivered to Stumberg through the mail, disguised to look like common household items.  Stumberg then sold the drugs in various communities in Iowa.  He also took the drugs to sell at various music festivals.  The sentencing judge found that Stumberg recruited and directed the activities of an accomplice into the drug conspiracy.

Stumberg was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Stumberg was sentenced to 78 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.  Stumberg 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 United States Postal Service and Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and 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 19-CR-00090-CJW-MAR.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who sexually exploited two children and possessed child pornography was sentenced today to 40 years in federal prison.

Aaron Olson, age 36, of Nora Springs, Iowa, received the sentence after a December 6, 2019 guilty plea to two counts of possession of child pornography, including depictions involving prepubescent children.  In a plea agreement, Olson agreed to be sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment.  Evidence at the sentencing hearing established that Olson produced child pornography images of two children.

Olson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Olson was sentenced to 480 months’ imprisonment.  Olson must also serve a five-year term of supervised release.  He must comply with all sex offender registration and public notification requirements.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Nora Springs Police Department.

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

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

The case file number is CR 19-2029.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who unlawfully possessed a firearm while subject to a protective order was sentenced on July 17, 2020, to five years in federal prison.

Jeareau O’Bryant, age 37, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison sentence after a September 23, 2019 guilty plea to unlawfully possessing a firearm while subject to the terms of a protective order.  The protective order expressly prohibited O’Bryant from legally possessing any firearm or ammunition.

Evidence at sentencing established that, in the early morning hours of September 11, 2016, O’Bryant was involved in a bar fight in Dubuque.  Video evidence showed that O’Bryant, after the fight, crouched between two cars along a side street before standing up and shooting several times at another individual who had been in the bar.  The court found that O’Bryant was trying to kill the other individual.   

O’Bryant was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  O’Bryant was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case 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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from its Project Guardian partners.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Schunk and Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Dubuque Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 180-CR-1050.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Hiawatha man who was an unlawful user of controlled substances and possessed a gun he used to threaten his neighbors was sentenced today to more than 3 years in federal prison.

Austin Bowers, age 25, from Hiawatha, received the prison term after a January 29, 2020 guilty plea to being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm. 

In a plea agreement, Bowers admitted that on October 4, 2019, there were two disturbances at a home in northwest Cedar Rapids.  That evening, Bowers had an argument with his fiancé, which then led to a disturbance with his neighbors.  When the Cedar Rapids Police Department arrived, Bowers was in his neighbor’s garage, threatening the neighbors with a loaded Taurus PT 111 Millennium G2 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine. 

Bowers was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Bowers was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  Bowers must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Bowers 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 Matthew J. Cole and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders 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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case file number is 20-CR-1.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A former Waterloo teacher was sentenced today to 8 months in federal prison. Defendant is to serve 4 months in BOP facility and 4 months in home confinement.

Anthony Dehl, age 59, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to wire fraud.

In a plea agreement, Dehl admitted that from 2014 to 2019, he defrauded the Waterloo Education Association (WEA) out of $54,254.07.  He withdrew most of the money at a local casino.  At the time of the fraud, Dehl was the treasurer of the WEA and concealed his scheme by submitting false treasurer reports and other yearly reports to the organization. 

Dehl was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Dehl was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment and fined $4,000.  Dehl was ordered to make $54,254.07 in restitution to the WEA and defendant paid his restitution in full.  Defendant must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Dehl was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on August 3, 2020. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and investigated by FBI and the Iowa State Auditor’s Office.

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

The case file number is 20-CR-02004.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A convicted felon who unlawfully possessed ammunition was sentenced today to more than two years’ in federal prison.

Mopreme Vychon Todd-Harris, age 21, from Hiawatha, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a February 7, 2020 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of ammunition.  In 2017, Todd-Harris was convicted of burglary 3rd degree, a felony conviction.  The conviction prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Information disclosed at sentencing and in his plea agreement showed that on July 21, 2019, Waterloo police officers observed Todd-Harris, who officers knew to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest, in public with a group of other people.  Officers approached Todd-Harris and saw a gun in his right hand.  The gun was loaded with live rounds of ammunition, though the gun was later determined to be an antique.  The warrant for Todd-Harris’s arrest was because he had previously escaped from the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility.

Todd-Harris was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Todd-Harris 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.

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

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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from its Project Guardian partners.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case file number is 19-CR-2061.                           

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Cedar Rapids man who unlawfully possessed a gun was sentenced today to federal prison. 

Bradley James Cable, age 34, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a November 15, 2019 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user and a person previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. 

Information disclosed at sentencing and in his plea agreement showed that

on April 11, 2019, Cedar Rapids police officers searched a home where Cable was residing.  Officers located two shotguns, shotgun ammunition, methamphetamine residue, drug paraphernalia, and digital scales.  Cable’s fingerprints were found on a glass bong, two shotgun cartridges, and one of the shotguns, which was also reported stolen.  Cable admitted to handling the firearm at the residence and admitted he used methamphetamine recreationally.  In 2004, Cable was convicted of domestic abuse assault, which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

Cable was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Cable was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment, five months of which can be served as home confinement, and fined $3,000.  Cable must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and Special Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Geocaris and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from its Project Guardian partners.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case file number is 19-CR-88.                           

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who hid a loaded firearm in the HVAC ductwork of a relative’s home in Waterloo, Iowa, was sentenced today to federal prison.

Keyion Smith-Allen, age 20, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 21, 2020 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user.

In a plea agreement, Smith-Allen admitted he was in possession of a semi-automatic .45 caliber handgun which was found in the basement of a relative’s residence in Waterloo.  He further admitted he had purchased the handgun in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and transported it to Waterloo.  He admitted to using both ecstasy and marijuana at the time he possessed the handgun.  Testimony at sentencing showed that Smith-Allen is an associate of multiple hybrid Waterloo gangs falling under a larger group referred to as “400.” 

Smith-Allen was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Smith-Allen was sentenced to 10 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.

Smith-Allen was released on the bond previously set and was immediately remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals following the sentencing hearing.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case file number is 20-CR-2002-CJW.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A convicted felon, illegal user of controlled substances, and marijuana grower who unlawfully possessed two guns was sentenced today to a year in federal prison.

Brian Anderson, age 52, from New Hartford, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 9, 2019 guilty plea to being a felon and an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm.

Information at sentencing showed that law enforcement searched Anderson’s home in New Hartford in June 2018.  Officers were initially searching the home looking for endangered rattlesnakes that Anderson allegedly possessed.  During the search, officers found the body of one dead rattlesnake.  But officers also found a marijuana grow operation, including over 120 marijuana plants, and two guns nearby.  Anderson was prohibited from possessing guns because he had previously been convicted of the felony offense of manufacturing marijuana and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.  He also had a previous conviction for illegally possessing two handguns.   

Anderson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Anderson was sentenced to 12 months’ and one day in prison.  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.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Waterloo Police Department, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.   

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

The case file number is 19-cr-3054.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A convicted felon who repeatedly possessed firearms while also using drugs was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison.

George Raymond Bounds, age 49, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 23, 2019 guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and a drug user.

Information disclosed during the case shows that Bounds is a three-time felon.  He was previously convicted of burglary, kidnapping, and aggravated assault in Arizona in 1996.  Between March 2018 and February 2019, Bounds possessed five different firearms on four separate occasions.  Bounds repeatedly obtained firearms after officers had seized firearms from him.  Testing showed his DNA was on all five firearms.  Two of the firearms had altered or obliterated serial numbers. 

Bounds was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Bounds was sentenced to 80 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.

Bounds 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force.  The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-69.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Charles Westfall, Jr, age 32, from Clarion, Iowa, Donald Rundall III, age 42, from Stratford, Iowa, Jami Stupka, age 29, from Ames, Iowa and Leah Hanson, age 32, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received prison terms, ranging from over 8 years to time served for their roles in a conspiracy to steal, possess, and traffic firearms.    

Donald Rundall III and Leah Hanson were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess a stolen firearm, one count of possession of a stolen firearm and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Jami Stupka was convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess a stolen firearm, and Charles Westfall, Jr., was convicted of one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

Evidence presented by the United States in court revealed before on or about June 17, 2017, Donald Rundall, III and Leah Hanson identified M.C.’s home to Charles Westfall, Jr. and Jami Stupka as containing valuables including firearms.  On or about June 17, 2017, defendant Donald Rundall, III, using a crowbar broke into M.C.’s Humboldt County home and garage.  Defendants, Charles Westfall, Jr., Donald Rundall, III, Jami Stupka, and Leah Hanson stole valuables including a Mossberg 535 12 gauge shotgun.  The weapon and other valuables were concealed at Livermore Mini Storage Units, Leah Hanson’s home as well as other places.  Defendants, Charles Westfall, Jr. and Jami Stupka, took a stole TV and the stolen firearm to be bartered, sold, and dispose of to B. H. in exchange for methamphetamine.  Charles Westfall, Jr. and Jami Stupka, paid Donald Rundall, III and Leah Hanson in methamphetamine because they expected to obtain methamphetamine in exchange for the TV and firearm.  B.H. subsequently sold the firearm to a felon, who could not have lawfully purchased a firearm. 

Rundall was sentenced on May 1, 2020, Hanson was sentenced on July 8, 2020, Westfall was sentenced on June 26, 2020, and Stupka was sentenced on June 19, 2020, in United States District Court in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Rundall was sentenced to 96 month’s imprisonment, Westfall was sentenced to 104 months’ and 29 days’ imprisonment, and Stupka and Hanson were each sentenced to time served.  Rundall, Hanson, Westfall, and Stupka each must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Westfall and Rundall are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from its Project Guardian partners.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.   

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Humboldt County and Wright County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Eagle Grove, Iowa Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mikala M. Steenholdt and Forde Fairchild. 

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

The case file number is 19-3024.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute over 750 grams of methamphetamine was sentenced today to more than a decade in federal prison.

Fredy Juan Morales-Alvarez, age 33, from Michoaćan, Mexico, received the prison term after a February 2020 guilty plea to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.

In a plea agreement, Morales-Alvarez admitted that, beginning in the fall of 2013 and continuing through December 17, 2013, he conspired to traffic methamphetamine.  On December 17, 2013, law enforcement searched Morales-Alvarez’s car during a traffic stop in Waterloo, Iowa, and recovered over 50 grams of methamphetamine.  Law enforcement then searched his home, finding an additional 122 grams of methamphetamine, $6,540 in United States currency, and a digital scale. 

Morales-Alvarez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Morales-Alvarez was sentenced to 121 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Williams and Special Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Waterloo Police Department, the Cedar Falls Police Department, and the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department.

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

The case file number is 14-CR-2013.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

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

Juan Sanchez-Cobo, age 35, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Fort Madison, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 6, 2020 guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.

At the guilty plea, Sanchez-Cobo admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Sanchez-Cobo was deported in October 2016 following a conviction in the Western District of Texas for illegal entry, a misdemeanor.  He was also deported in July 2018 following a conviction in the Western District of Texas for illegal reentry, a felony.  Sanchez-Cobo most recently came to the attention of immigration agents on December 25, 2019, following his arrest and conviction in Linn County, Iowa, for public intoxication.

Sanchez-Cobo was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Sanchez-Cobo was sentenced to eight 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.

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

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

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

The case file number is 20-CR-04.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced July 13, 2020, to 12 years in federal prison.

Dylan Davis, 27, from Hartwell, Georgia, received the prison term after a March 10, 2020, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Evidence at the guilty plea and sentencing hearing, showed that in November 2017, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle Davis was a passenger in.  During the stop, law enforcement located a loaded CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 9mm pistol and two magazines - one loaded with 12-9mm rounds over which which Davis admitted ownership.  Pursuant to the stop, officers lawfully searched the vehicle and recovered approximately 4 ounces of methamphetamine located on the back seat near the gun, along with numerous baggies containing approximately 70 grams of marijuana, three digital scales, a red plastic grinder containing methamphetamine, numerous prescription pills, zig zag rolling papers, syringes, 2 glass methamphetamine pipes, numerous plastic zip-lock baggies of various size, two cell phones, and other drug paraphernalia. 

Davis was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Davis was sentenced to 144 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.  Davis 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 Mikala Steenholdt and investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.   

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

The case file number is 17-4074. 

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man with four prior drug-related felonies who trafficked methamphetamine in 2016 was sentenced today to more than 14 years in federal prison.

Andrew Sarchett, age 39, from Kailua Kona, Hawaii, and previously from Marion, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 22, 2020 guilty plea to one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

In a plea agreement, Sarchett admitted he was involved with the sale of methamphetamine in the Cedar Rapids area in 2016.  The plea agreement also showed Sarchett was involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine at a Marion residence rented by Sarchett’s then-girlfriend.  After the discovery of the methamphetamine laboratory, the landlord of the residence spent approximately $7,500 to clean up the residence.  Sarchett had been convicted of four prior drug related felonies.

Sarchett was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Sarchett was sentenced to 176 months’ imprisonment and he was ordered to make $7,500 in restitution to the landlord for repair of the property.  He must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Sarchett is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by the Marion, Iowa, 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 19-CR-00082.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Cedar Rapids drug user who unlawfully possessed a loaded gun was sentenced today to one year in prison.

Malik Cain Richardson, Sr., age 24, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a January 24, 2020 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user.

Information disclosed at sentencing and in his plea agreement showed that on February 27, 2020, Richardson was pulled over by Cedar Rapids police officers.  During the stop, Richardson admitted he had a firearm and gave it to police.  Officers also discovered that Richardson’s front seat passenger had approximately 15 grams of marijuana hidden in her pants.  The passenger told officers that Richardson handed it to her as they were getting pulled over.  Richardson admitted that he had been a marijuana user since he was 13 or 14 years old.  Officers located multiple photos and text messages on Richardson’s phone which show that Richardson also sold marijuana.  In July 2019, officers searched Richardson’s home and located marijuana, items consistent with marijuana distribution, and a loaded firearm. 

Richardson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Richardson was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make payment of $100 to the special assessment fund.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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 also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from its Project Guardian partners.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case file number is 19-CR-89.                                

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who hid a firearm in the back of a police car when he was arrested in 2019 was sentenced today to more than 4 years in federal prison.

Juwan Logan, age 43, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 15, 2020 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Logan admitted he was driving a motorcycle on October 17, 2019, when he was stopped for a number of traffic violations.  When Logan was arrested for driving while barred, he was placed in the back of a police car.  Although he was patted down, Logan was able to keep a small handgun hidden on his person.  Prior to arriving at the Black Hawk County Jail, hid the handgun in the vehicle.  Officers found it a short time later.  Logan has prior convictions for domestic abuse and possession a firearm as a felon.

Logan was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Logan was sentenced to 57 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.  Logan 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in concert with the Waterloo, Iowa, Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-02074.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Cedar Rapids man who escaped from a residential reentry center where he was ordered by a federal court was sentenced today to more than 2 years in federal prison.

Caleb Lee Olson, age 45, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 3, 2020 guilty plea to one count of escape from federal custody.  In a plea agreement, Olson admitted he was originally sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment for drug trafficking in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids on April 20, 2011, with a term of supervised release to follow.  Olson had his supervised release revoked multiple times, most recently in February 2020, when he was sentenced to serve 36 months’ imprisonment.  As a condition of Olson’s supervised release, he was required to reside in a residential reentry center.  On July 22, 2019, Olson left the Gerald R. Hinzman Center in Cedar Rapids and never returned.  Olson was later found in possession of methamphetamine and arrested in Denver, Colorado, on August 26, 2019.  

Olson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Olson was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment that must be served in addition to the 36-month sentence imposed for his supervised release violation.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Olson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and was investigated by United States Marshals Service, the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 20-CR-00012.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who sold at least two pounds of meth was sentenced July 8, 2020, to more than twelve years in federal prison.

Paul Gensley, age 52, from Victor, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 2, 2019 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute drugs.  In a plea agreement, Gensley admitted he agreed to work with at least one other person to distribute drugs in northern Iowa.  Testimony during previous hearings in the case showed that Gensley’s source of meth was arrested and jailed, but continued to participate in the conspiracy.  While in jail, the source provided a pound of meth to Gensley.  Gensley was captured on jail phone recordings talking to his source and later sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant.  Evidence showed Gensley sold at least two pounds of meth overall and provided a gun to another participant in the conspiracy.  Gensley has multiple previous felony convictions involving stolen property.  Law enforcement recently recovered a stolen motorcycle and golf cart from his house.

Gensley was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Gensley was sentenced to 150 months’ and 20 days imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Gensley 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 through a cooperative effort of the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office. 

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 19-cr-86.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who illegally re-entered the United States after being previously deported and who possessed drugs with the intent to distribute, was sentenced July 7, 2020, to 5 years’ in federal prison.

Jacob Rios-Saucedo, age 32, from Mexico, received the prison term after a February 18, 2020, guilty plea to one count of illegal re-entry and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

In a plea agreement, Rios-Saucedo admitted he had illegally entered the United States from Mexico on an unknown date after previously being deported in 2010.  On May 5, 2019, law enforcement pulled over Rios-Saucedo for speeding in Woodbury County, Iowa.  Law enforcement lawfully conducted a canine search around the car where the canine alerted to the presence of the odor of a narcotic substance. The vehicle was searched, and police found approximately 5 pounds of packaged cocaine in the trunk area of the car, under the spare tire.  Rios-Saucedo admitted that about a week before the arrest in Woodbury County, he had picked up the car on the West Coast and drove to the Midwest.  He admitted knowing there were drugs in the car, but he did not know what kind or quantity of drugs there were.  He was to be paid $3,000 dollars for making the trip.  He also admitted to making a prior trip in April 2019, where he drove a car with $17,000 dollars in it from Iowa to the West Coast, and was paid $1,000. 

Rios-Saucedo was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Rios-Saucedo was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.

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

The case file number is 19-CR-4035.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

The manager of a Dubuque senior apartment complex, who used a power of attorney to defraud an elderly and disabled nursing home resident was sentenced July 7, 2020, to five years’ probation.  Janice Kay Schultz, age 59, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 3, 2020 guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.

In a plea agreement, Schultz admitted that she met her victim at the senior apartment complex in Dubuque that Schultz managed.  The victim lived alone and had no family.  In December 2010, the victim was admitted to a Dubuque nursing home after suffering a stroke and a fall.  Afterwards, her physical and cognitive abilities abruptly declined such that she could no longer live at the apartment complex.  In April 2011, the victim signed a power of attorney form that purported to give Schultz full authority to manage the victim’s financial affairs.  However, the power of attorney expressly stated that defendant was not permitted to make any gifts to herself.

From April 2011 through January 2015, Schultz used the power of attorney to steal nearly $60,000 from the victim.  Schultz used this money to buy Green Bay Packer football tickets and pay for other personal expenses.  Schultz purchased $24,000 in gift certificates, which she then used for a major home improvement project.  At one point, the victim no longer had the necessary funds to support her stay in the nursing home.  The Iowa Medicaid program began paying for the victim’s care at the nursing home.  Schultz told Iowa Medicaid that the victim had not sold or given away anything of value in the months preceding her application for benefits.

Schultz was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Schultz was sentenced to five years’ probation and fined $2,000.  She was ordered to make $59,963 in restitution to the victim’s estate and to repay $5,000 in court-appointed attorney fees.

The prosecution of Schultz is part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Abuse Initiative.  In March 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa was selected as one of ten districts nationwide to launch regional Elder Justice Task Forces.  The Elder Justice Task Forces reflect the department’s larger strategy and commitment to protecting our nation’s seniors, spearheaded by the department’s Elder Justice Initiative.  The Elder Justice Initiative coordinates and supports the Department’s law enforcement efforts and policy activities on elder justice issues.  It plays an integral role in the department’s investigative and enforcement efforts against nursing homes and other long-term care entities that deliver grossly substandard care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa has rededicated its efforts and resources to investigate and hold accountable those who have been involved in activities incompatible with ensuring that the state’s more vulnerable citizens are treated with dignity and respect.

The charges also were brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.  The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.  With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud.  Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations.  Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants.  For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 20-cr-1003.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A married Dubuque couple who stole over $200,000 from the husband’s elderly mother were each sentenced today to two years in federal prison.  H. David Derby, age 66, and Patti Lynn Derby, age 52, received the prison terms after each pled guilty on September 23, 2019 to one count of wire fraud.

In their plea agreements and at their sentencing hearings, the evidence showed that the Derbys stole over $200,000 from H. David Derby’s mother between September 2013 and September 2017.  The victim was an elderly widow and former school teacher who resided in an assisted living facility in Dubuque.  She suffered from mental and physical disabilities and was unable to manage her own financial affairs or care for herself.

The Derbys used various legal forms, including two powers of attorneys, to gain access to the victim’s bank account and carry out their fraud scheme.  After transferring money out of the victim’s account on the false pretense that the Derbys would use the funds for her benefit, the Derbys used those funds for their own purposes, including tickets to a rock concert.  By October 1, 2017, the Derbys had spent all of the victim’s funds and she was no longer able to afford her assisted living facility and was forced to move into the Derbys’ home.  Over the next three months, the victim lost over 23 pounds, broke her wrist, and was hospitalized.  The victim later died in March 2020.

“The Derbys’ treatment of the victim in this case is appalling,” said United States Attorney Peter Deegan.  “They took advantage of an elderly woman with mental and physical disabilities for their own selfish personal gain.  The United States Attorney’s Office will hold accountable those who abuse positions of trust to steal from the most vulnerable members of our community.  But I urge everyone to do their part by carefully attending to family and friends to prevent the elderly from becoming victims of fraud.”

The Derbys were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  H. David Derby was sentenced to 26 months’ imprisonment.  Patti Derby was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment.  They were ordered to make over $211,621.41 in restitution.  Each must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The prosecution of the Derbys is part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Abuse Initiative.  In March 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa was selected as one of ten districts nationwide to launch regional Elder Justice Task Forces.  The Elder Justice Task Forces reflect the department’s larger strategy and commitment to protecting our nation’s seniors, spearheaded by the department’s Elder Justice Initiative.  The Elder Justice Initiative coordinates and supports the Department’s law enforcement efforts and policy activities on elder justice issues.  It plays an integral role in the department’s investigative and enforcement efforts against nursing homes and other long-term care entities that deliver grossly substandard care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa has rededicated its efforts and resources to investigate and hold accountable those who have been involved in activities incompatible with ensuring that the state’s more vulnerable citizens are treated with dignity and respect.

The charges also were brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.  The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.  With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud.  Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations.  Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants.  For more information on the task force, please visit www.StopFraud.gov.

The Derbys were released on the bond previously set.  H. David Derby was ordered to surrender to the United States Marshal in two weeks’ time.  Patti Lynn Derby was ordered to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 19-CR-1035. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who was illegally in the United States and was an unregistered sex offender June 25, 2020, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison.

William Noeli Santamaria-Rodriguez, age 36, from El Salvador, received the prison term after a July 26, 2019, guilty plea to one count of illegal re-entry of an aggravated felon and a December 19, 2019, guilty plea to one count of failure to register as a sex offender.

Santamaria-Rodriguez came to the attention of immigration authorities after his July 5, 2019, arrest in Crawford County for driving without a license.  In a plea hearing held on July 26, 2019, Santamaria-Rodriguez admitted he was illegally in the United States after being deported as an aggravated felon to El Salvador on May 16, 2008.  His deportation was the result of a June 15, 2006, conviction of two counts of assault with intent/sex abuse in Crawford County, Iowa. Santamaria-Rodriguez was required to register pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and knowingly failed to do so.  The Iowa Sex Offense Registry and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office records do not show the defendant ever registered as a sex offender since his illegal reentry in 2008 through July 5, 2019.

Santamaria-Rodriguez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Santamaria-Rodriguez was sentenced to 24 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Fletcher and investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations and the United States Marshals Service. 

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

The case file numbers are 19-CR-4041 and 19-CR-4081.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

U.S. Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. and Acting Special Agent in Charge Adam Steiner, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), St. Louis Field Office, are reminding taxpayers that the tax filing and payment deadline is July 15, and to continue to be on the lookout for scam artists.

Deegan and Steiner made the announcement today to urge people who owe taxes, even if they have a filing extension, to carefully review their situation and pay what they can by July 15 to avoid penalties and interest.

Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. For people facing hardships, including those affected by COVID-19, who cannot pay in full, the IRS has several options available on IRS.gov/payments.

“Taxpayers who are unable to pay their taxes in full should act as quickly as possible since interest and penalties can rapidly accumulate when more time passes,” warned Steiner. “You must pay the taxes you owe by July 15.”

In addition, Deegan and Steiner reminded taxpayers that scammers are hard at work looking for ways to steal your personal information and your money. Stay alert! The IRS will not contact you by phone, email or social media to ask for personal information. It is a scam.

“There are those who will seek to shamelessly prey upon vulnerable victims and American taxpayers,” said United States Attorney Deegan.  “Working with the criminal investigators from the IRS, my office will continue to prosecute and hold responsible those who do.  But I urge all taxpayers to remain vigilant to prevent themselves and those close to them from becoming victims.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are focusing on bringing to justice criminals that use taxpayer’s personal information as an opportunity to commit a crime, especially those looking to prey on vulnerable taxpayers,” said Steiner.

For official information, go directly and solely to IRS.gov.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who illegally re-entered the United States after being previously deported as a felon was sentenced March 5, 2020, to more than 1 year in federal prison.

Alejandro Garcia-Sanchez, age 38, from Mexico, received the prison term after a November 4, 2019, guilty plea to one count of re-entry of a removed alien after a felony.

In a plea agreement, Garcia-Sanchez admitted he had illegally entered the United States from Mexico on an unknown dated after previously being deported in February of 2019, following a conviction for re-entry of a removed alien in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. 

Garcia-Sanchez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Garcia-Sanchez was sentenced to 15 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and investigated by Enforcement and Removal Office of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau.

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

The case file number is 10-CR-3041.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced June 30, 2020, to more than 5 years in federal prison. 

Amanda Adams, age 30, from Mason City, Iowa, pled guilty on February 14, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that from about May 2019 through October 2019, Adams and others conspired to distribute at least 35 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine in Northwest Iowa. In June 2019, Adams and a co-conspirator sold “fake” methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. In October 2019, Adams and her co-conspirator agreed to sell more methamphetamine to the same cooperator and make good on the previous transaction.  After a high speed vehicle pursuit, Adams and her co-conspirator were caught with two ounces of methamphetamine intended for the same cooperator.  Officers also seized a sawed-off shotgun and an axe during a search of the vehicle.   

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Adams was sentenced to 64 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of 4 years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. Adams remains in custody of the United States Marshal Service until she can be transferred to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Arnold’s Park Police Department, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 19-4079. 

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

An illegal user of controlled substances who unlawfully possessed multiple guns was sentenced today to a year in federal prison.

Henry Charles Haas, III, age 42, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm.

Information at sentencing showed that law enforcement searched Haas’s home in Dubuque.  During the search, officers found seven guns that Haas later admitted he possessed.  The guns included an AK-47 rifle that was capable of accepting a high-capacity magazine, multiple shotguns, and multiple handguns.  Officers also found hundreds of shotgun shells and handgun magazines in Haas’s bedroom.  Haas was an unlawful user of marijuana at the time he possessed the guns. 

Haas was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Haas was sentenced to 12 months’ and one day in prison.  He was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.  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.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dubuque Police Department, and the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office.   

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

The case file number is 19-cr-1023.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

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

Dagoberto Pacheco-Mata, age 29, a citizen of Honduras illegally present in the United States and residing in Tama, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 11, 2020, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.

At the guilty plea, Pacheco-Mata admitted he had previously been deported from the United States in November 2011 and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Pacheco-Mata was arrested in February 2020 after his illegal presence in the United States came to the attention of immigration agents. 

Pacheco-Mata was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Pacheco-Mata was sentenced to 130 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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

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

The case file number is 20-CR-15.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who operated a methamphetamine distribution ring in the Dubuque area from 2013 through 2014 was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison.

Brian Ausborn, age 48, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine after having been previously convicted of a serious drug felony. 

In a plea agreement, Ausborn admitted he worked with other individuals over a two-year period to make multiple trips to purchase large quantities of methamphetamine.  These large quantities were then redistributed in the Dubuque area.  Ausborn had previously been convicted of felony drug offenses in Black Hawk County, Polk County, and Calhoun County, Iowa. 

Ausborn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Ausborn was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment and fined $100.  He must also serve a 10-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 Attorneys Liz Dupuich and Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Dubuque Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-1005.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who discharged a shotgun during a dispute was sentenced today to more than two years in federal prison.

Timothy Rabineau, age 45, from Oxford Junction, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 25, 2019 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Evidence during the case showed that Rabineau was involved in a dispute with another individual.  That individual drove by Rabineau’s home in Oxford Junction to continue the argument.  When the individual drove by, Rabineau got a shotgun from his home and discharged it once in the air as the individual drove by.  Rabineau was a felon, having previously been convicted of possession of stolen property in 2001 and third degree burglary in 2001.

Rabineau was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Rabineau was sentenced to 28 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: [list partners here]. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-0102.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.