Northern District of Iowa

An intensive care unit nurse who stole fentanyl and morphine, both pain medications, from an unconscious patient by withdrawing the drugs from his IV line while he was in the hospital’s intensive care unit in December 2018 was sentenced today to more than @ years in federal prison.

Kelly Kristin Postel, age 43, from Anamosa, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 4, 2020 guilty plea to two counts of acquiring morphine and fentanyl on multiple occasions from October 2018 through December 2018.

In a plea agreement, Postel admitted that between October 2018 and December 2018, she obtained fentanyl and morphine by getting an excess amount of those pain meds from the hospital pharmacy and administering only the prescribed amount of medication to patients.  She then used the rest of the pain medication while she was still working as a registered nurse caring for patients in the hospital.  Postel also admitted that, on December 10, 2018, she was caring for patients in the intensive care unit at a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, hospital.  On that day she went into an unconscious patient’s room, used a syringe to remove fentanyl and another drug from the patient’s IV line, and then used the substances in the employee restroom at the hospital while she was still on duty.  Postel admitted she was impaired in her judgment and in being able to do routine nursing tasks after taking the pain medications, even though she was still caring for patients.    

Postel was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Postel was sentenced to 4 months’ imprisonment and fined $5500.  She was ordered to pay restitution for the drugs she stole, costs of prosecution and forfeit her nursing license.  She must also serve a 1-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

“Health care providers who steal drugs from the patients they care for place those patients and the medical system at risk.  This office always stands ready to protect those who are unlawfully exploited by others,” said United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr.  “We especially thank the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their outstanding work investigating this case.”

“Health care professionals who steal needed medications from patients put patients at increased risk of harm and disrupt the legal drug supply chain,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to protect the public health and bring to justice health care professionals who take advantage of their unique position and compromise their patients’ health and comfort by tampering with needed drugs.”

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and the United States Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-00132.

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A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced on June 25, 2020, to more than 10 years in federal prison.

Juan Lopez-Zuniga, 50, from Denison, Iowa, was convicted by a jury on February 7, 2020, after a 3 day trial in federal court, of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  The verdict was returned following about 3 hours of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that Lopez-Zuniga was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from October 2015 through September 2016, from the Denison, Iowa, area.  Evidence showed that Lopez-Zuniga conducted runs from Denison, Iowa, to Worthington, Minnesota, delivering half-pound quantities of methamphetamine to a co-conspirator for further re-distribution in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. Lopez-Zuniga would then return to Denison with the proceeds of drug sales. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Lopez-Zuniga was sentenced to 127 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 5 year term of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Lopez-Zuniga is being held in the custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement; Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; Buffalo Ridge Task Force (Worthington/ Nobles County, Minnesota); and the Internal Revenue Service. 

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

The case file number is 17-4009.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed ammunition was sentenced June 25, 2020, to 7 years in federal prison.

Cole Rongved, 26, from Okoboji, Iowa, pled guilty on October 17, 2019, to one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and one count of illegally possessing ammunition, being subject to an order of protection in the Iowa District Court for Dickinson County.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that Rongved was involved in a conspiracy from May 2018 through January 2019 that distributed at least 1500 grams of methamphetamine in the Dickinson County, Iowa area.  Rongved admitted that he and two associates acquired over two pounds of methamphetamine from a source in Council Bluffs for later distribution in the Lakes area.  During search warrants executed at Rongved’s residence, law enforcement located and seized over 1000 rounds of ammunition, over 5 pounds of marijuana, 37 doses of LSD, 4 grams of methamphetamine, over 2 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, nearly $38,000 in cash, and other items of drug trafficking and drug paraphernalia.   

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Rongved was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of 4 years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Rongved remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Palo County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 19-4025.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Lakota, Iowa methamphetamine dealer was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison.

Christopher Paul Hanson, age 30, from Lakota, IA received the prison term after a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 1,500 grams of pure methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a drug user.

In a plea agreement, Hanson admitted to distributing at least 1,500 grams of pure methamphetamine in and around North Central Iowa.  In September 2018, a vehicle was stopped and in the vehicle was approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine, part of which was packaged for delivery to Hanson for re-distribution.  On September 26, 2018, Hanson’s residence was searched pursuant to a search warrant.  Law enforcement seized drug paraphernalia, drug packaging materials, drug ledgers, marijuana, methamphetamine, and guns, including a rifle and a pistol, along with ammunition for both guns.

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

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

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Central Drug Task Force. 

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

The case file number is 18-3057.

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A Fort Dodge man was sentenced June 23, 2020 to more than 24 years in federal prison.

Demetrius Johnson, age 34, from Fort Dodge, IA, received the prison term after a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms by a prohibited person.

In a plea agreement, Johnson admitted he was distributing methamphetamine from the fall of 2017 to on or about August 2019.  In December 2019, Johnson sold methamphetamine on two separate occasions in Mason City, Iowa.  On January 15, 2018, law enforcement searched Johnson’s Mason City storage locker and apartment where they seized methamphetamine, large quantities of marijuana, and three handguns, one of which was loaded.  Johnson left Mason City and moved to Fort Dodge where Johnson was hiding from law enforcement pending his parole violation for another drug dealing offense.  On August 1, 2019, Johnson was found in Fort Dodge.  At the time of his arrest, law enforcement noticed a strong odor of marijuana which led them to search his residence finding approximately 4.5 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as another handgun.   

During the course of his drug dealing, defendant used other people to sell drugs for him and maintained an apartment for the purpose of drug dealing.  Johnson has three prior felony drug convictions and multiple convictions for violent offenses.   

Johnson was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Jonson was sentenced to 292 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and 120 months for possession of firearms by a prohibited person to run concurrently.  He must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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 Jack Lammers and investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Mason City Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Fort Dodge Police Force, and the Webster County Sheriff’s Office.

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

The case file number is 19-3037.

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A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced June 24, 2020, to more than 5 years’ in federal prison. 

Marcelino Delangel, 47, from Carroll, Iowa, pled guilty on December 30, 2019, to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Delangel had been previously convicted of three felony crimes in Mower County, Minnesota, in 2003, 2006 and 2010, respectively.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that Delangel illegally possessed a .22 caliber pistol, which was seized from his vehicle that he was driving when stopped by law enforcement on November 7, 2018.  Also seized from Delangel’s vehicle was 5.2 grams of methamphetamine, Vicodin pills, and a digital scale.  Evidence at the hearing, showed the pistol was loaded with four rounds of ammunition and had been stolen during a burglary in Carroll, Iowa in October 2018.  

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Delangel remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.  Delangel was sentenced to 61 months’ plus 17 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a term of 3 years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  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.

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

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

The case file number is 18-3054.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Dubuque man, who sold crack cocaine to a confidential source on two separate occasions, was sentenced June 23, 2020, to fifteen months in prison.

Christopher DeAngelo Emory, age 32, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a February 7, 2020 guilty plea to distribution of crack cocaine near a protected location.

Information disclosed at sentencing and at his plea hearing showed that on two occasions in November 2018, Emory sold cocaine to a confidential source.  Both sales took place near a school or park.  In total, Emory sold approximately two grams of crack cocaine.  Also in November 2018, law enforcement officials searched Emory’s Dubuque house as part of a recent shots fired investigation.  During the search, officers located over $300 in cash, ecstasy, and a .380 caliber handgun magazine.  Emory has two criminal prior convictions for assault and domestic abuse assault.  Emory sold the crack cocaine in this case while he was on probation for the domestic abuse assault. 

Emory was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Emory was sentenced to fifteen months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make payment of $100 to the special assessment fund.  He must also serve a 6-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 Dubuque Police Department, the Dubuque Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-01028.                                    

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A prohibited person who possessed a firearm pled guilty on June 23, 2020, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Tobias Sarazin, age 33, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  At the plea hearing, Sarazin admitted that, in December 2019, he possessed a pistol while being a user of marijuana and methamphetamine. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Sarazin remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Sarazin 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 20-1005.

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

Jose Cerillo-Cerillo, age 31, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea today to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.

In a plea agreement, Cerillo-Cerillo admitted he used a fictitious Social Security number and a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” when he completed employment and tax forms using a fake name in June 2018 at a business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  The Alien Registration number on the “green card” used by Cerillo-Cerillo was issued to another person.  On the employment application, Cerillo-Cerillo falsely claimed to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States.  However, Cerillo-Cerillo was previously deported from the United States in October 2012 and January 2013 and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  On March 4, 2020, Cerillo-Cerillo was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during the execution of a search warrant as part of an investigation of document fraud in Cedar Rapids. 

Cerillo-Cerillo was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Cerillo-Cerillo was sentenced to 111 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.

Cerillo-Cerillo 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-23. 

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A Marion man who defrauded a Cedar Rapids utility company of more than $300,000 as part of an energy efficiency rebate fraud scheme was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison.

Dustin James Hutcheson, age 39, from Marion, Iowa, originally from Marshalltown, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 11, 2019 guilty plea to one count of mail fraud and one count of money laundering.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that Hutcheson operated Hutch Energy, LLC, an energy-related services business, from his residence in Marion, Iowa.  In 2017 and 2018, Hutcheson and his employees approached small business customers of a Cedar Rapids utility company and offered to replace their existing lighting with more energy efficient LED lighting for free.  Hutcheson falsely represented that he could do so at no cost to the customer because of a rebate program that the utility company offered and all the customer needed to provide to Hutcheson was the paperwork, which Hutcheson would complete, and the rebate check once the customer received the rebate check in the mail from the utility company.  Hutcheson then submitted fraudulent invoices to the utility company, making it appear as if the customer had paid for the lighting and was entitled to a rebate.  Hutcheson repeatedly forged the signatures of the utility company’s customers and also inflated the number of bulbs installed on the rebate forms.  In total, Hutcheson received over $300,000 in rebate moneys as a result of his fraud scheme.  In order to receive referrals for new victims, Hutcheson gave cash kickbacks to multiple individuals with whom the energy company had contracted to provide energy assessments for the customers.

Hutcheson was not a licensed electrician.  At sentencing the court found that, although it was unintentional, one of Hutcheson’s light bulbs caused a fire in a nursing home.   The nursing home had to evacuate 23 residents, including elderly individuals on feeding tubes and with dementia.

In July 2018, officers searched Hutcheson’s residence in Marion.  Undeterred, Hutcheson continued the scheme by using two other company names to continue to submit fraudulent rebate claims to the same utility company. 

Hutcheson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Hutcheson was sentenced to 44 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make over $340,000 in restitution the utility company, including paying the utility company’s attorney fees in responding to the government’s investigation and prosecution of Hutcheson.  Hutcheson must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

As a result of having been caught using narcotics while on pretrial release, Hutcheson 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 Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-32.

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A man who attempted to destroy methamphetamine by burning it was sentenced June 18, 2020, to five years in federal prison.

Drew Johnson, age 38, from Clarksville, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 8, 2020 guilty plea to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

In a plea agreement, Johnson admitted that in February 2019 he was in possession of methamphetamine when officers arrived at his home to search it.  Johnson, who was outside at the time, admitted running in to the house and throwing the methamphetamine in a wood burning stove and then fighting with officers.  Johnson has an extensive criminal history, including two prior convictions for domestic assault and multiple theft convictions.

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

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

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

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

The case file number is 19-cr-3032.

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Three Fort Dodge men who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed stolen firearms were sentenced in federal prison.  Osborne and Petersen were sentenced January 28, 2020, and Swan was sentenced on June 18, 2020.

Marcus Swan, 29, pled guilty December 31, 2019, Lucas Osborne, 30, pled guilty August 20, 2019, and Kenneth Petersen, 41, pled guilty on September 10, 2019.  Each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of stolen firearms. 

Evidence showed that together the defendants possessed five guns that were stolen during a burglary in Kossuth County, Iowa. Swan and Petersen were also prohibited from possessing firearms based on their prior felony convictions.  Osborne was an unlawful user of methamphetamine and therefore also prohibited from possessing firearms.  Additionally, evidence shows that the three distributed methamphetamine from October 2018 through February 2019.  In total the methamphetamine conspiracy involved the distribution of over 16 pounds of methamphetamine in and around the Fort Dodge area.     

Each were sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Osborne was sentenced to 153 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  Petersen was sentenced to 98 months’ imprisonment, with a 4-year term of supervised release following the prison term.  Swan was sentenced to 102 months’ imprisonment and a 4-year term of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Each 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. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.   

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

The case file number is 19-3017.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced June 17, 2020, to more than 2 years in federal prison.

Emmanuel Fuentes, 35, from Madelia, Minnesota, received the prison term after a December 30, 2019, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from July 2019 through August 2019, Fuentes was involved in the distribution of more than 150 grams of pure methamphetamine.  In two separate investigative operations, in July and August 2019, law enforcement seized more than ten ounces of methamphetamine from Fuentes.

Fuentes was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Fuentes was sentenced to 31 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.  Fuentes 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 the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.   

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

The case file number is 19-4053.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Law enforcement agencies in the Cedar Rapids area continue to make communities safer by partnering to reduce gun related crimes and violence.  United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. announced charges and arrests in eleven federal gun cases within the last 30 days. 

“COVID 19 has not affected federal, state and local law enforcement’s unwavering commitment to investigating and prosecuting offenses involving firearms,” said United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr.  “Convicted felons, drug users, and those who have committed domestic violence are legally barred from possessing guns or ammunition.  Those that do will be held accountable.”

“The Cedar Rapids Police Department appreciates the continued partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa as we are both concerned about violent crime,” said Cedar Rapids Chief of Police Wayne Jerman.  “Our community is safer today because of the commitment of the U.S. Attorney to prosecute crimes involving the use or possession of illegal drugs and firearms.  In some cases, convicted felons, who are not allowed to lawfully possess a gun, are accused of further crimes committed while in possession of a firearm.  This is particularly concerning and the reason that we value the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in helping us hold individuals accountable.”

Special Agent in Charge Kristi Johnson of the FBI noted, “These charges and arrests prove our partnerships with local law enforcement and the communities we serve are crucial to the mission against gun violence.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City Field Division Marino Vidoli said, “As these cases show, ATF and our law enforcement partners in the Cedar Rapids area are absolutely committed to finding those who use firearms to threaten or inflict harm on members of our community, and bringing them to justice.”

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

Trever Carl Christopherson, age 31, Rhamond Bolden, age 26, Thomas Anthony Wallace, age 33, Jerell Jackson, age 23, Tony Rhen Brown, age 59, Daniel James Abbott, age 48, and Henry Wilke Eilders, age 42, all of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area, have been charged with various violations of federal law including being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  The charges are contained in complaints and indictments filed within the last 30 days in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.  Four additional defendants, whose charges remain under seal, have also been charged with violating federal firearm laws. 

The indictment against Abbott alleges that in September and October of 2019, he possessed multiple firearms while being an unlawful user of methamphetamine.  The indictment also alleges that two firearms seized in September of 2019 were possessed by Abbott in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, specifically possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  An additional four guns were seized as part of this investigation in March 2020.  The case file is 20-CR-32.   

The indictment against Eilders alleges that in March 2020, Eilders possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, specifically conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and or 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.  This case is part of a larger drug-trafficking investigation, wherein investigators seized a gun from Eilder’s co-defendant, George Ashby, age 60, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Ashby is facing drug and gun charges as well.  The case file is 20-CR-00027.    

The indictments filed against Christopherson and Jackson allege that each possessed a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance.  Christopherson is alleged to have been a methamphetamine user while possessing a firearm. Jackson is alleged to have been a marijuana user while possessing a firearm.

The indictment filed against Bolden alleges that he possessed a firearm as a felon.  Bolden is a felon based on a prior federal conviction for being a drug user in possession of a firearm.   

The indictment filed against Wallace alleges that he possessed a firearm while being an unlawful user of marijuana and after having two prior convictions for domestic abuse.

The indictment filed against Brown alleges that he possessed two firearms while being an unlawful user of heroin and after having previously been convicted of two felonies.  Brown has also been charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of substance containing methamphetamine.

If convicted on these charges, all defendants face at least a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.­

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

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

These cases were investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Marion Police Department, the Hiawatha Police Department, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  

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

Antonio De La Cruz, age 55, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea today to one count of unlawful use of an identification document.

During the guilty plea portion of the hearing, De La Cruz admitted he used someone else’s Social Security number and a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” when he completed employment and tax forms in December 2016 at a business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  On the employment application, De La Cruz falsely claimed to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States.  The Alien Registration number on the “green card” was issued to another person.   On March 6, 2020, immigration agents arrested De La Cruz at his place of employment in Cedar Rapids.

De La Cruz was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  De La Cruz was sentenced to 104 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

De La Cruz 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-22.

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A man who sold a mixture of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Carl Ravon Watkins, age 29, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of distribution of controlled substances resulting in death.

In a plea agreement, Watkins admitted that in August 2019, a woman called and texted him, looking for heroin.  Watkins met with the woman and her boyfriend in the area of the 700 block of Wilson Avenue in Dubuque, where Watkins entered the woman’s vehicle and sold her what was supposedly heroin.  The woman took the mixture home, used it later that night, and lost consciousness.  Her boyfriend found her hours later, unconscious and not breathing.  Emergency responders arrived, but were unable to revive the woman and she was pronounced dead.  An autopsy determined that the woman’s death was caused by mixed drug toxicity, specifically from fentanyl and an analogue of fentanyl called acetyl fentanyl.  During a search of the woman’s bedroom, officers found a chunky white substance that tested positive for fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl. 

Watkins also admitted that the day after the woman’s death, the Dubuque Drug Task Force set up a controlled meeting with Watkins to attempt to purchase $80 of purported heroin from him.  When Watkins arrived at the area of the 700 block of Wilson Avenue in Dubuque, officers placed him under arrest.  During his arrest, Wilson dropped a baggie containing about a quarter gram of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.

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

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

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

The case file number is 19-CR-01043-CJW-MAR.

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A man who drained his grandmother’s checking account, living trust account, and money market savings account of $118,107.80 was sentenced today to 21 months in prison.

Andrew Garrett, age 32, from Marion, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 10, 2020 guilty plea to a one count charging him with wire fraud.

In a plea agreement, Garrett admitted his grandmother was unable to care for herself due to memory issues including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.  Garrett used a debit card belonging to his grandmother to spend her funds for his personal benefit.  Garrett concealed his scheme to defraud by claiming the expenses were related to repairs at his grandmother’s condominium. 

Garrett was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Garrett was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment and ordered to repay 118,107.80 in restitution.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and investigated by the Marion Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 20-CR-2-CJW

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A man who conspired to distribute meth while possessing a gun was sentenced May 19, 2020, to more than 8 years in federal prison.

Nicholaus Augustus, 28, from Carroll, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 26, 2019, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  In 2015, Augustus was convicted of burglary 3rd degree, in the Iowa District Court for Carroll County.  The conviction prohibited Augustus from legally possessing a firearm in Iowa.

At the guilty plea, Augustus admitted that from about October 2017 and continuing to on or about August 29, 2018, he and others conspired to distribute more than 35 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine in the Carroll, Iowa area.  In January 2018, Augustus distributed more than 4 grams of meth to an individual cooperating with law enforcement.  In August of 2018, Augustus’ residence was searched as part of a burglary investigation, and law enforcement seized a gun, along with drug paraphernalia and 9mm ammunition.

Augustus was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Augustus was sentenced to 100 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.  Augustus 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. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from Project Guardian partners. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigations, Carroll, Iowa Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

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

The case file number is 18-3047.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A felon and drug user who illegally possessed a gun was sentenced June 11, 2020, to more than 3 years in federal prison.

Dennis Ray Wynn, 46, from Jefferson, South Dakota, received the prison term after a February 18, 2020, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon and illegal drug user. 

Evidence presented by the United States at the detention, change of plea and sentencing hearings revealed on June 29, 2018, a traffic stop, led to the discovery of $4,650 in cash and admissions regarding the possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.  A search warrant executed at Wynn’s home located the methamphetamine and marijuana and a Jimenez Arms semiautomatic .22 caliber pistol among other things.

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

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 Project Guardian partners. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

The case was investigated by the Sioux City Police Department and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; 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.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.

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

The case file number is 19-4071.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man from Minnesota was sentenced June 10, 2020 to more than two years in federal prison.

Ahmed Hassan, age 26, from Pelican Rapids, Minnesota received the prison term after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a drug user.

Evidence at his change of plea and sentencing hearings revealed between December 2018 and April 2019, Hassan was an unlawful user of methamphetamine and knowingly possessed two guns and ammunition on two separate occasions.  Hassan came to the attention of law enforcement during their investigation of the defendant’s other felony criminal activity, which included pimping and controlled substance violations.  He was convicted in state court for those charges and sentenced to state prison.  Upon his release from state prison, he must serve his federal firearms sentence.    

Hassan was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Hassan was sentenced to 21 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 federal sentence was imposed consecutive to the state sentence, so defendant must complete his state prison term first.   

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.

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

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 our Project Guardian partners.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

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

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

The case file number is 19-4038.

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A Sioux Center chiropractic clinic, Sioux Center Chiropractic Wellness Center, P.C., and the two chiropractors who operate the clinic – Tyler and Tiffany Armstrong – have agreed to pay $30,418 to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicaid for the treatment of conditions for which payment is not allowed, including constipation and ear infections.  The settlement agreement resolves allegations related to the treatment of Medicaid beneficiaries seven and under from April 2014 to July 2019.  The claims settled by the agreement are allegations only; there has been no admission or judicial determination of liability.

The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Schunk and Melissa Carrington.  The allegations resolved by the settlement arose from an investigation led by the State of Iowa’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  False Claims Act cases also arise under the qui tam, or whistleblower provisions, of the False Claims Act.  Under those provisions, a private party may file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery.

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A Dubuque man who possessed over 25,000 images of child pornography was sentenced today to 139 months in prison.

Mark Curtis, Jr., age 37, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography.   

Information disclosed at his court hearing today showed that between August 2017 and August 2018, Curtis, Jr. used terms commonly associated with child pornography to search for images and videos of child pornography on the internet.  Curtis, Jr. downloaded a number of images and videos to his cellular telephone.  Curtis, Jr. then moved some of these images and videos to a Dropbox account.  In total, Curtis possessed over 25,800 images.  The images depicted minors that ranged in age from infants to pre-teens.  Some videos and images involved infants and toddlers engaged in sexual acts.  Curtis, Jr. has no criminal history.     

Curtis, Jr. was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Curtis, Jr. was sentenced to 139 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make payment of $200 to the special assessment fund.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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

The case file number is 19-CR-1046.                         

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A man who used another person’s Social Security number to get a job and for tax purposes was sentenced today to three months in federal prison.

Pedro Brito-Raymundo, age 23, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea today to one count of misuse of a social security number.

During the guilty plea portion of the hearing, Brito-Raymundo admitted that on December 26, 2019, he used an alias name and a fraudulent social security card and a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” on employment forms and state and federal tax forms when applying for work in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  The Social Security account number and the Alien Registration number on the “green card” were issued to other people.  Brito-Raymundo worked using that person’s social security number until he was arrested by immigration officials on February 22, 2020, at his place of employment. 

Immigration officials learned about Brito-Raymundo after he was arrested on February 21, 2020, in Linn County, Iowa, on pending state criminal charges for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.  Analysis of Brito-Raymundo’s fingerprints showed that he was ordered deported from the United States in November 2013 but had knowingly absconded from ICE supervision.

Brito-Raymundo was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Brito-Raymundo was sentenced to 93 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Brito-Raymundo 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-19.

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A man who used another person’s Social Security number to get a job and for tax purposes was sentenced today to three months in federal prison.

Alberto Rivera-Ramirez, age 30, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea today to one count of misuse of a social security number.

In a plea agreement, Rivera-Ramirez admitted that on December 14, 2018, he used a fraudulent social security card and a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” on employment forms and state and federal tax forms when applying for work in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  The Social Security account number and the Alien Registration number on the “green card” were issued to other people. 

Immigration officials learned about Rivera-Ramirez’ illegal conduct after he was arrested on June 6, 2019, in Benton County, Iowa, on state criminal charges.  On February 27, 2020, Rivera-Ramirez plead guilty in state court to Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree and was sentenced to 260 days in jail. 

Rivera-Ramirez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Rivera-Ramirez was sentenced to 91 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Rivera-Ramirez 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-24.

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A man who used a false identification document and a fictitious social security number was sentenced today to three months in federal prison.

Jasinto Cuyuch-Brito, age 23, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea today to one count of unlawful use of an identification document and one count of misuse of a social security number.

During the guilty plea portion of the hearing, Cuyuch-Brito admitted he used a fictitious Social Security number and a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” when he completed employment and tax forms in March 2018 at a business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  On the employment application, Cuyuch-Brito claimed to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States.  However, Cuyuch-Brito was previously deported from the United States in 2015 and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  The Social Security account number used by Cuyuch-Brito was fictitious.  The Alien Registration number on the “green card” was issued to another person.  

Cuyuch-Brito was arrested on March 4, 2020, on the federal indictment following an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement into document fraud in Cedar Rapids.  A search warrant was obtained for a Cedar Rapids apartment and executed on March 4, 2020, to look for evidence related to document and Social Security.  Officers attempted to enter the apartment with a key but a resident pushed the door closed and locked the deadbolt.  After officers gained entrance, a resident of the apartment told the officers where Cuyuch-Brito could be found in Marion, Iowa.  Officers located Cuyuch-Brito at the residence in Marion where he briefly resisted arrest.

Cuyuch-Brito was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Cuyuch-Brito was sentenced to 91 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Cuyuch-Brito 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-20.

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Yuniel Sanchez, age 36, from Grand Prairie, Texas, and Shannon Marlowe, age 35, from Fort Worth, Texas, each received prison terms, of over five years for their roles in a conspiracy to transport stolen property, wire fraud and identity heft.

Yuniel Sanchez and Shannon Marlowe were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, one count of wire fraud and one count of identity theft.

Evidence presented by the United States in court revealed between January 1, 2019 until on or about June 11, 2019, Marlowe and Sanchez knowingly and willfully conspired to transport a Penske moving truck they rented using a fraudulent credit card in Dallas, Texas. As part of the conspiracy Marlowe and Sanchez acquired valid credit card numbers and personal identifiers of unsuspecting victims.  They then forged fraudulent identification cards and credit cards in the names of the victims.  Marlowe and Sanchez acquired a credit card embossing machine, valid gift cards and other tools and supplies and forged identification cards in the names of the victims bearing their own images instead of the images of the unsuspecting victims.  Marlowe and Sanchez travelled to multiple retailers in multiple states, including, Iowa, Minnesota and Tennessee, and presented the forged and fraudulent credit cards and identification cards to retailers.  On June 11, 2019, law enforcement officers in Sioux City, Iowa conducted a search of the Penske truck. Officers located stolen property and receipts from various retailers, a credit card embossing machine, multiple gift cards, and about 15 completed forged and fraudulent credit cards.  Marlowe and Sanchez used the fraudulent credit cards to make $35,828.06 worth of purchases.

Marlowe and Yuniel Sanchez were each sentenced on May 29, 2020, in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Each was sentenced to 61 months’ imprisonment.  Each was ordered to pay make restitution and pay special assessments of $400.  They each must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Both are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.

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

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

The case file number is 19-CR-4069.

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A husband and wife who encouraged and induced a father and his minor daughter to illegally enter in the United States were recently sentenced in federal court in Sioux City.  Cristobal Francisco Nicolas was sentenced on May 29, 2020, to 18 months’ in federal prison.  Amy Francisco was sentenced on March 20, 2020, to 12 months’ and 1 day in federal prison. 

Amy Francisco, age 40, a citizen of the United States, and Cristobal Nicolas, age 37, a citizen of the Republic of Guatemala, both residing in Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison terms after pleading guilty to encouraging and inducing an alien to enter or reside in the United States in violation of law.  Cristobal Nicolas was also convicted for unlawful possession of identification documents.

Information disclosed during the case showed that Amy Francisco and Cristobal Francisco illegally encouraged and induced aliens to enter or reside in the United States.  Specifically, they encouraged aliens from Guatemala to enter the country.  The Franciscos arranged for them to come to Sioux City, Iowa.  Amy Francisco and Cristobal Francisco knew the aliens, a father and daughter, were citizens of Guatemala and were not permitted to enter or reside in the United States. 

Further information showed that Amy Francisco and Cristobal Francisco encouraged a father and his minor daughter to enter the United States.  The Franciscos admitted they intended to have the minor daughter serve as a surrogate mother for their baby.  The Franciscos proposed to pay for all expenses incurred during the pregnancy, birth, and adoption of the baby.  They also promised the daughter she could further her education and work to earn money while in the United States.  The Franciscos also agreed to help find the father work in the country.

In the spring of 2019, the Franciscos, using the services of individuals outside the United States, arranged for the father and daughter to travel from Guatemala to the United States.  After the father and daughter arrived in the country, the Franciscos paid for them to fly to Omaha, Nebraska, and eventually to travel to the Franciscos’ Sioux City home.  The father and daughter stayed at the Franciscos’ home from May 31, 2019, through June 4, 2019.  On June 4, 2019, the daughter ran away from the home.  Officers from the Sioux City Police Department found her after she ran away.

Cristobal Francisco Nicolas was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Cristobal Francisco Nicolas was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Amy Francisco was also sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Amy Francisco was sentenced to 12 months’ and 1 day imprisonment.  She must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Cristobal Francisco Nicolas and Amy Francisco are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Sioux City Police Department. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 19-CR-4045.

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

Orlando Quinonez-Revolorio, age 39, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea today to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.

At the guilty plea portion of the hearing, Quinonez-Revolorio admitted he had previously been deported from the United States in August 2009 and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  In November 2019, Quinonez-Revolorio’s illegal presence in the United States came to the attention of immigration agents following his arrest in Black Hawk County, Iowa, on state criminal charges. 

Quinonez-Revolorio was then sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Quinonez-Revolorio was sentenced to 82 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.

Quinonez-Revolorio 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-2015.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Princeton, Texas, man was sentenced May 29, 2020, to more than six years in federal prison after possessing a gun as a felon.

Rodolfo Velasco, age 36, from Princeton, Texas, received the prison term after a March 10, 2020, guilty plea to one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

Information presented by the United States at the detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed that on or about May 30, 2019, Velasco illegally possessed a pistol and ammunition.  He was prohibited from possessing guns because he had been previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance in Minnesota in 2003 and of distribution of methamphetamine in Nebraska in 2011.  Velasco’s unlawful possession was discovered when law enforcement apprehended him as a fugitive for a parole violation, following a foot pursuit.  When he was captured he was in possession of a stolen pistol and ammunition.  

Velasco was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Velasco was sentenced to 77 months’ imprisonment.   He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Velasco 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. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from our Project Guardian partners.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

The case was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service and the Sioux City Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. 

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

The case file number is 19-4057.

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An Illinois man, responsible for distributing over 1,000 grams of heroin, was sentenced today to 127 months in federal prison. 

Jarel Shawn Williams, age 23, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison sentence after a December 10, 2019 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute at least 1,000 grams of heroin and five counts of distribution of heroin.  Williams is the 22nd person to be sentenced to prison over the last 20 months for his role in a large-scale heroin ring.

The investigation into the heroin ring began in 2017 when investigators with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Drug Enforcement Administration became aware of a large scale heroin trafficking network operating in the Cedar Rapids area.  The heroin was brought in from outside of Iowa and sold to mid-level dealers and customers who in the Cedar Rapids area.  Investigators conducted dozens of interviews of local dealers, learning the structure of the organization.  However, traditional investigative techniques alone were not enough to fully understand and target the heroin trafficking that was pervasive in Cedar Rapids. 

In order to penetrate the organization, investigators eventually used eleven Title III wiretap investigations targeting four prolific heroin distributors in the area.  Investigators intercepted hundreds of calls between dealers and customers.  The wiretap investigation revealed that these phones were used solely for arranging heroin transactions and that dealers were making dozens of heroin deals daily.  One such phone was dubbed the “Ferrari” phone.  The “Ferrari” phone was passed

between various members of the group, including Jarel Shawn Williams.  Members would answer the phone and arrange deals, sometimes making the delivery of heroin themselves.  Other times, other members of the group were sent to make the delivery.  On average, heroin users were buying a quarter gram of heroin at a time for around $40.  Transactions occurred all over Cedar Rapids, including at mall and grocery store parking lots, and near gas stations, truck stops, and parks.  By contacting the “Ferrari” phone, investigators were able to conduct over a dozen undercover purchases of heroin from members of the group.

Members of the “Ferrari” group also travelled to Chicago to acquire large quantities of heroin.  The heroin was then brought back to Cedar Rapids and distributed.  In July 2017, law enforcement stopped a vehicle travelling from Chicago to Cedar Rapids.  Two members of the group were in the vehicle.  In the vehicle, officers located over 350 grams of heroin on its way to Cedar Rapids to be distributed. 

Some members of the group carried firearms to protect themselves.  In total, investigators seized over $6,500 United States Currency, one pound of heroin, and six handguns.  At least two people overdosed, but survived, after consuming heroin distributed by a member or members of the group.

Ultimately, the investigation resulted in charges against 33 individuals.  This included a handful of indictments against persons who were intercepted purchasing heroin from the group and who utilized cellular phones to arrange heroin transactions. 

In addition to Jarel Shawn Williams, the following individuals have been be sentenced for their role in distributing heroin:

1. Dion Clayborn, age 41, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment on January 25, 2019, following a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance near a protected location.  Clayborn must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release after the prison term.

1. Andrew Fletcher, age 35, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 61 days’ imprisonment on March 18, 2019, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin.  Fletcher must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release.

1. Dino Harrington, age 34, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment on November 19, 2018, following a guilty plea to distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a truck stop after a prior drug felony conviction.  Harrington must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release.

1. Tiffany Youngblood, age 42, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment on November 19, 2018, following a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, specifically heroin and fentanyl. Youngblood must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release.

1. Garland Lightfoot, age 29, from Chicago, was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment on November 19, 2018, following a guilty plea to distribution and aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin after having been previously convicted of a felony drug offense.  Lightfoot must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release.

1. Rolando Brown, age 31, from Chicago, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on November 19, 2018, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more within a protected location after having previously been convicted of a felony drug offense.  Brown must also serve a 8-year term of supervised release.

1. Julius Sullivan, age 27, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment on April 3, 2019, following a guilty plea to distribution of a controlled substance within a protected location.  Sullivan must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release.

1. Joseph Mercil, age 34, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 164 days’ imprisonment on February 6, 2019, following a guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance after prior drug convictions.  Mercil must also serve a 1-year term of supervised release.

1. Eddy Watt, age 30, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 64 months’ imprisonment on October 17, 2018, following a guilty plea to aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin.  Watt must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release. 

1. Jason Bates, age 44, from Urbana, was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment on August 22, 2019, following a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within a protected location, possession of a firearm by a felon, and distribution of heroin resulting in serious bodily injury.  Bates must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release.

1. Patrick Richmond, age 36, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment on December 18, 2019, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin, cyclopropyl fentanyl, methoxyacetyl fentanyl, and fentanyl near a protected location.  Richmond must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release.

1. Scott Krumbholz, age 38, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment on April 2, 2019, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin near a protected location.  Krumbholz must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release.

1. Andrew Bobenhouse, age 35, from Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 114 days’ imprisonment on April 2, 2019, following a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute heroin.  Bobenhouse must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release. 

1. Walter Malano Collins Murray, Jr., age 19, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment on December 30, 2019, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin. 

1. Cortez Nelson, age 30, from Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment on May 20, 2020, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 1,000 grams of heroin.  

1. Dewon Earl Meeks, age 30, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced to 71 months’ imprisonment on May 20, 2020, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin. 

1. Anthony Ricks, age 31, from Chicago, pleaded guilty on January 16, 2020, to conspiracy to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin.  Ricks will be sentenced on July 10, 2020, at 11:00 a.m.    
    

Sean Jarel Williams, age 30, from Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty on January 21, 2020, to conspiracy to distribute at least 1,000 grams of heroin.  Williams’ will be sentenced on August 28, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.  Devontae Horton, age 25, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, after a February 10, 2020, jury trial.  Horton’s sentencing date has not yet been set.

“Deadly opioids continue to take their toll on our communities,” said United States Attorney Peter Deegan.  “Thanks to the hard work of the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of many other law enforcement partners, a large-scale heroin trafficking organization has been taken off the streets.  We will continue to work together to send the sellers of this poison to prison.”

“The collaborative effort between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies involved in this operation is exactly what was needed to dismantle this well-organized and far-reaching Drug Trafficking Organization,” DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Darin Thimmesch said. “The investigators from the various teams involved relied on one another through each step of this three year investigation and together, were able to remove dangerous criminals and illicit drugs from the streets of our communities.  At DEA, we value our law enforcement partnerships and will continue to use this model to guide future missions.”

Lieutenant Robert Collins, Narcotics Division commander, said, “The Cedar Rapids Police Department, along with the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Cedar Rapids Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration began an investigation in July 2017 of several heroin sources in Cedar Rapids.  Narcotics investigators learned that a large number of low-level organizational members were Cedar Rapids residents and those selling heroin were from Chicago, Illinois.  Investigators were able to gather intelligence information that helped investigators identify organizational members and determine their respective roles in illegal narcotics trafficking.  With the cooperation of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, and investigators from the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Cedar Rapids DEA Task Force, Marion Police Department, Linn County Sheriff, University of Iowa Police, North Liberty Police Department, Coralville Police Department, and other law enforcement partners throughout Eastern Iowa, evidence was presented to a federal grand jury that resulted in indictments for over 20 individuals.  Seizures in the case included $6,500 in U.S. currency, one pound of heroin, and six handguns.”

Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman said, “Local law enforcement has a solid relationship with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa.  The United States Attorney’s Office has been completely supportive and provided assistance to investigators in efforts to combat the burgeoning heroin trafficking that was occurring in Cedar Rapids and throughout Eastern Iowa.  It is a key collaborative effort that has produced results and has made our community safer.  Drug trafficking is not a victimless crime, but rather poisons the community and those with substance abuse issues.  Further, illegal drug trafficking often results in other dangerous and violent crimes.  We have committed, dedicated narcotics investigators whose work is making a critical difference in reducing criminal activity in our community.”

All defendants that have been sentenced were sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand, District Court Judge Linda R. Reade, or District Court Judge C.J. Williams. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Chatham, Ashley Corkery, Justin Lightfoot, and Lisa Williams, and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration Cedar Rapids Resident Office, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Marion Police Department, University of Iowa Police, North Liberty Police, Coralville Police, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  

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

The case file number is 18-CR-00051, 19-CR-000002, 18-CR-00028, 18-CR-00042, 18-CR-00080, 18-CR-00097, 18-CR-00043, 18-CR-00052, 18-CR-00095, and 19-CR-45.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Sioux City man who was distributing methamphetamine in and around the Sioux City area was sentenced Thursday, May 28, 2020 to more than 20 years in federal prison.

Jeremy William Lillich, age 45, from Sioux City, IA, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

In a plea agreement, Lillich admitted that on February 3, 2019, he was in Sloan, Iowa at a car wash bay around 3:00 a.m. with co-defendant, Patrick Steffens.  Lillich was the owner of the car, however Steffens was driving the car due to Lillich not having a valid driver’s license.  Law enforcement noticed the car in the car wash and became concerned, due to recent thefts at car washes in neighboring rural cities.  Law enforcement searched the vehicle after a K-9 detected the presence of drugs in the car.  Law enforcement found approximately two pounds of methamphetamine and twenty-eight grams of cocaine inside a bag on the passenger’s seat.  Lillich intended to sell the methamphetamine in and around Sioux City and other places.  Lillich was a career offender with criminal history that included two prior felony drug offenses, manslaughter, assault, and other crimes.  Lillich admitted at sentencing that he was selling methamphetamine.

Lillich was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Lillich was sentenced to 262 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and was investigated by the 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 19-4022.

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A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced May 28, 2020, to more than 4 years in federal prison.

Xavier Rhone, 23, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 25, 2019, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon. Rhone was previously convicted of going armed with intent, in the Iowa District Court for Webster County, on or about August 3, 2015.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on August 25, 2018, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle of which Rhone was a passenger.  During an inventory of the vehicle, officers located a backpack that contained a handgun.  Officers sent the handgun and backpack to the DCI Laboratory to be tested in order to determine the owner of the firearm.  The Laboratory Report determined that the DNA on the handgun matched Rhone’s DNA.  It was also determined that the firearm had previously been stolen. Evidence in this case further showed, that Rhone used or possessed the firearm in connection with the felony offenses of Carrying Weapons, in violation of Iowa Code § 724.4(1), and Robbery, First Degree, in violation of Iowa Code §§ 711.1 and 711.2.       

Rhone was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Rhone was sentenced to 56 months’ and 18 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Rhone 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 Mikala Steenholdt and investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 19-3003.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Charles City nurse anesthetist who secretly tampered with vials of fentanyl in a hospital’s surgery and birthing centers was sentenced today to nearly three years in federal prison.

Christopher Scott West, age 46, from Charles City, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 1, 2019 guilty plea to one count of tampering with a consumer product and one count of acquiring and attempting to acquire a controlled substance by means of misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge.

At the guilty plea and other hearings in the case, the evidence showed that, beginning in 2017, West was a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at a hospital in Charles City.  From February 2018 through September 7, 2018, West used his State of Iowa nursing licenses to gain access to two controlled substances, fentanyl and sufentanil, at the hospital.  The fentanyl and sufentanil was intended for patients at the hospital, but West used them himself.  In order to avoid getting caught, West perforated tamper-proof paper around the vials, carefully opened the vials, replaced the drugs in the vials with saline, glued the vials shut, and placed the vials back in the hospital’s secure dispensaries in the surgery and birthing centers.

The hospital discovered West’s scheme on September 7, 2018, when a hospital visitor discovered West passed out in a public bathroom. West had a rubber tourniquet and empty and full vials of propofol, another drug used in anesthesia, in his coat pocket.  After the hospital declined West’s request to keep his drug theft scheme “internal,” West told the hospital’s pharmacist that she needed to remove vials of what were supposed to contain narcotics in the surgery center because hedid not want those adulterated narcotics used on patients.  The pharmacist found tampered vials of fentanyl in the surgery center.  However, over the ensuing weekend, the pharmacist also checked the hospital’s birthing center.  The pharmacist also found tampered vials in the birthing center, too.  In total, the hospital discovered 28 tampered vials of fentanyl and 15 tampered vials of sufentanil in the hospital’s secure dispensaries.

On September 9, 2018, West admitted to the hospital’s surgeon that West had administered three different forms of anesthesia to a young patient in part so that he would have narcotics left over for his personal use.  The patient suffered complications from his surgery and required an extra day in the hospital and intermittent catheterizations.  A subsequent review of other procedures West allegedly performed revealed that West had purported to use fentanyl consistently in colonoscopies and cataract surgeries as early as December 2017.  A prior review of West’s obstetrics patients in 2018 revealed that one in four of West’s spinal anesthesia patients received narcotics that were insufficient to reduce labor pain, such that the women giving birth also required general anesthesia. 

West was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  West was sentenced to 34 months’ imprisonment and fined $15,000.  He was ordered to make $31,998.34 in restitution to the hospital and ordered to pay $3,158.18 in costs of prosecution.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  The district court also ordered West to forfeit his two State of Iowa nursing licenses to the United States because defendant used those licenses to further his drug diversion scheme.

“Medical professionals have an obligation to care for some of the most vulnerable members of our society,” said United States Attorney Peter Deegan.  “By his selfish actions, Mr. West took advantage of his trusted position at his local community hospital.  He endangered the health and very lives of patients at the hospital.  This sentence sends a clear message that such dangerous behavior will not be tolerated.”

“The FDA oversees the U.S. drug supply to ensure that it is safe and effective, and those who knowingly tamper with medicines put patients’ health at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to protect the public health and bring to justice health care professionals who take advantage of their unique position and compromise their patients’ health and comfort by tampering with needed drugs.”

West was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on a date yet to be set.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Charles City Police Department.

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

The case file number is 19-CR-2013.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Opioids kill hundreds of Iowans every year.  These dangerous drugs wreak havoc on lives and communities.  Unfortunately, all too often, the use of an opioid such as heroin ends with an overdose because people do not know what they have or how dangerous it is.       

On June 1, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa will sentence Jarel Williams for his role in trafficking heroin.  He will be the 22nd defendant sentenced over the last 20 months for their roles in distributing this dangerous drug.  These prosecutions were the result of Operation Blue Devils, an investigation conducted by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Following the sentencing, the United States Attorney will issue a press release regarding the investigation and prosecutions.  Additionally, United States Attorney Peter Deegan, CRPD Chief of Police Wayne Jerman, CRPD Lieutenant Bob Collins (commander of the narcotics unit), CRPD Officer Lindsay Powers (assigned to the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative), and DEA Resident Agent-in-Charge Russ Coulter will all be available for interviews regarding the investigation and prosecutions.     

Event Details

When:           June 1, 2020

Where:         Cedar Rapids Federal Courthouse (United States Attorney’s Office), 111 7th Ave. SE

Time:            Sentencing Hearing scheduled for 11:00 a.m.  Interview availability after the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.

 

Please contact Tony Morfitt at tony.morfitt@usdoj.gov or 319-363-6333 to schedule interviews.

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A man who distributed child pornography was sentenced May 26, 2020, to more than 7 years in federal prison.

Diego Felipe Juan, age 46, originally from Guatemala and living in Doon, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 2, 2019, guilty plea to one count of distribution of child pornography.

In a plea agreement, Juan admitted that between November of 2018 and January 18, 2019, using the internet, he knowingly distributed a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct to another person. It was revealed at the sentencing hearing that Juan had other videos of child pornography on his cell phone.

Juan was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Juan was sentenced to 87 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.

Juan 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 Attorneys Ron Timmons and Timothy Duax and investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.

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

The case file number is 19-CR-4032.

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A woman who law enforcement found asleep on a couch in possession of meth she intended to distribute was sentenced May 18, 2020, to more than three years in federal prison.

Michelle Rae Simmermaker, age 44, from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, received the prison term after a January 2, 2020 guilty plea to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Evidence during a previous hearing showed that Simmermaker was asleep on the couch in a home in Tipton, Iowa, when law enforcement officers arrived to search the home.  Simmermaker had a lockbox with her that contained over ten grams of methamphetamine, which she intended to sell to others.  Also present at the residence were two minor children, including Simmermaker’s granddaughter.

Simmermaker was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Simmermaker was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Simmermaker is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.   The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Tipton Police Department, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Muscatine County Drug Task Force. 

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

The case file number is 19-cr-55.

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A Waterloo man who went on a crime spree as a teenager in February 2018, was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison.  Griffin Riley Davis, age 20, received the prison term after a December 2, 2019 guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user.

At the guilty plea and sentencing hearings, Davis admitted that on January 21, 2018, when he was 18 years old, he was stopped for speeding in Black Hawk County, Iowa, and officers found an unloaded semiautomatic rifle with a high capacity magazine in his trunk at that time.  Then, on February 5, 2018, and February 6, 2018, officers responded to shots fired incidents in Dysart and Waterloo, Iowa, respectively.  Each incident involved residential homes in which people, including minors, were present.  Officers found spent .40 caliber shell casings at each crime scene.  On February 12, 2018, Davis was recorded in a phone call stating he was going to shoot a minor “and fan down everyone in her car.”

On February 20, 2018, officers stopped a car in Waterloo and saw Davis in the backseat.  Officers smelled marijuana in the car and later found Davis hiding under a blanket.  In the car, officers also found more than 40 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and a loaded .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol.  The pistol was recently stolen from a residence in Grundy County, Iowa.  Later ballistics testing confirmed that the .40 caliber firearm was the same firearm that discharged at the residences in Dysart and Waterloo earlier that month.

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

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.

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 Attorneys Tim Vavricek and Justin Lightfoot, and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterloo Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-2045.

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A man who traveled from Minnesota to Iowa to have sex with minors was sentenced today to 27 years in federal prison. 

Terrance Nordwall, age 51, of Faribault, Minnesota, received the sentence after an October 31, 2019, jury verdict finding him guilty of attempted sex trafficking of children, attempted enticement of minors, and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. 

The evidence at trial showed that, in March and April of 2019, Nordwall exchanged text messages with a man who he believed was a “pimp” with a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl available.  The man was actually an undercover law enforcement officer.  Nordwall agreed to pay the pimp $200 for a half hour with the two girls, and he drove to the Cedar Rapids area, where he met law enforcement officers.  In 2004, in Minnesota, Nordwall was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree, and possession of pornographic work involving minors.

Nordwall was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Nordwall was sentenced to 324 months’ imprisonment.  A special assessment of $300 was imposed, and Nordwall must also serve a 5-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, Homeland Security Investigations, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Hiawatha 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 19-57. 

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A Cedar Rapids teenager who was arrested for possessing a firearm for the fourth time in little more than two years, and while on state court probation for possessing a firearm as a felon, was sentenced on May 18, 2020 to five years in federal prison. 

Untario Devonte McGhee, also known as “Memphis” and “Tario Nolove,” age 19, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, originally from Memphis, Tennessee, received the prison term after a January 6, 2020, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, the evidence showed that, on April 10, 2019, Cedar Rapids Police Department officers attempted to arrest McGhee on a probation violation warrant and found McGhee in a vehicle in Cedar Rapids.  As the officers neared McGhee, he locked the vehicle’s door.  The officers saw a firearm in McGhee’s right hand.  An officer ordered McGhee to raise his hands, but McGhee lowered his right hand and, when he raised it, it was empty.  Officers pulled McGhee from the vehicle and, where his right hand had been, located a loaded and stolen handgun.

At the time, McGhee was on probation in state court after he was convicted of possessing a loaded stolen firearm as a felon in November 2018.  McGhee was arrested for carrying firearms illegally in June 2018 and February 2017, as well.  McGhee also has prior arrests for possessing marijuana with intent to deliver, disorderly conduct, providing false identification information, and assault.

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

McGhee 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 Tim Vavricek and investigated by 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-54.

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A Waterloo man who escaped from a Waterloo halfway house and spent over two weeks on the lam was sentenced to a year in federal prison on May 19, 2020.  Lonnel Porter, age 36, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a bench trial and a January 16, 2020 verdict finding him guilty of escape from custody.

The evidence at trial and prior court proceedings showed that, in 2009, Porter was convicted in federal court of possessing a firearm as a felon after an incident wherein he displayed an assault-rifle during a neighborhood dispute.  At that time, Porter had prior convictions for burglary, domestic assault causing injury, and false imprisonment.  Porter was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison and three years of supervised release.  In 2012, while an inmate in federal prison, Porter was sentenced to an additional two years of prison after assaulting a correctional officer and causing injury to the officer.  When Porter was released from prison in 2019, he was required to spend time at a local halfway house, the Waterloo Residential Reentry Center (WRRC), with work-release privileges.  On September 16, 2019, about six weeks after he arrived at the WRRC, Porter signed out for his job, left the WRRC, and never returned.  When Porter’s probation officer called Porter on the telephone and instructed him to return to the WRRC, Porter refused to do so and would not reveal his location.  On October 2, 2019, the United States Marshal’s Service arrested Porter, and Porter was returned to prison for 14 months for violating the terms of his supervised release.

Porter was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Porter was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment.  This sentence is in addition to his prior 14 month term.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Porter 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 Tim Vavricek and was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-2069.

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A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced May 20, 2020, to 8 years in federal prison.

Michael Wayne Holton, 33, from Mason City, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 9, 2020, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.  Holton was previously convicted of contraband in a correctional facility and domestic abuse assault, both in the Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed Holton admitted that on June 22, 2019, he grabbed a gun, a Taurus 9mm, from another person while outside of Kingz Lounge in Fort Dodge, Iowa and shot the gun multiple times near a crowd of people.

Holton was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Holton was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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 Project Guardian partners. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.

The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Department of Criminalistics Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 19-3050.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A career offender with prior drug trafficking convictions who sold cocaine near protected locations multiple times and possessed a loaded handgun was sentenced today to more than a dozen years in federal prison.

Jerry Towns, age 31, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 23, 2019 guilty plea to distributing cocaine.

Information disclosed at the guilty plea and sentencing hearing showed that Towns distributed cocaine near either a park or school on four different occasions in 2017 and 2018.  Later in 2018, law enforcement stopped Towns while he was a passenger in a car.  At the same time, law enforcement was getting ready to search Towns’ residence in Dubuque.  Towns called his girlfriend and told her to get cocaine and a loaded gun out of the residence.  Law enforcement stopped her as she was leaving and seized the drugs and loaded gun.

At sentencing, Towns was found to be a career offender.  He had two prior felony offenses for distributing cocaine.  He also had eleven other adult criminal convictions, including four convictions involving violence.  During the sentencing, the court said it was clear Towns was making a living by dealing drugs and met any definition of a career offender.

Towns was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Towns was sentenced to 151 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.

Towns 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 Tony Morfitt and investigated by 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-1020.

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A Sioux City man selling methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin from his home pled guilty on May 18, 2020 in federal court in Sioux City.

Monee Yodprasit, age 42, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

In a plea agreement, Yodprasit admitted that between June of 2019 and November 2019, he conspired to sell more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine.  On November 7, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Yodprasit’s residence where they seized more than 2 pounds of cocaine, approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 20 grams of heroin or fentanyl, two loaded handguns in the vicinity of the drugs, and approximately $24,000 in cash.  Yodprasit told law enforcement officers that he began dealing drugs after getting out of prison for dealing drugs because he could not find a job.  Yodprasit’s criminal history includes a conviction from the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Case No. 98-CR-40170-1, for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and distribution of a controlled substance, a felony drug offense, and a serious drug felony, for which he previously served more than 12 months of imprisonment.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Yodprasit remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  On the conspiracy charge, Yodprasit faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment and the following maximum penalties: up to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $20,000,000; and a term of supervised release of at least 10 years up to life.  On the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Yodprasit faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years' imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed, and a maximum term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $250,000; and a term of supervised release of up to five years.  And for possession of a firearm by a felon, Yodprasit faces maximum penalties of: not more than 10 years' imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $250,000; and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.  This case was 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 CR19-4088.

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A man who sold nearly 80 grams of heroin in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison.

Marcus Lamont Long, age 33, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 27, 2019 guilty plea to one count of use of a communications facility to commit a felony drug crime.

Evidence at a prior hearing showed that, in April 2019, Cedar Rapids first responders were called to a residence for a disturbance.  When they arrived on the scene, the first responders found one person deceased from a suspected overdose and another who had overdosed, lost consciousness, and then woke up.  After a short investigation, officers discovered the phone number for the individual who had sold the purported heroin to the two people who overdosed.  The officers contacted the number and arranged to purchase heroin from Long, who had answered the phone.  Long was arrested shortly thereafter, and admitted that he had used the phone to arrange the heroin transaction.

Long was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Long was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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

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

The case file number is 19-CR-00056-CJW-MAR.

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A Cedar Rapids man who was driving while in possession of a 9mm Beretta handgun under his seat was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.

Antonio Donnell Johnson, age 32, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after pleading guilty on November 7, 2019, to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. 

In a plea agreement, Johnson admitted that, after police pulled him over for driving while barred, he provided a false name to law enforcement.  Officers found a loaded 9mm Beretta handgun under his seat and marijuana and ecstasy on his person.  He admitted to smoking marijuana and possessing the gun.  He was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was previously convicted of both a felony and a crime of domestic violence.

Johnson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  He was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  He must 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 Elizabeth Dupuich and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force.  The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

This case 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 19-CR-108-CJW.

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A man who possessed child pornography was sentenced on May 12, 2020, to 5 years in federal prison.

Ariya Mangsanhanh., age 24, from Storm Lake, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 8, 2019, guilty plea to one count of possession of child pornography.

In a plea agreement, Mangsanhanh admitted that between January 2, 2017 and August 23, 2018, in the Northern District of Iowa, he knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, some of which included visual depictions of minors under the age of 12. A search warrant served on Mangsanhanh’s residence led to the seizure of Mangsanhanh’s cell phones and computers. A subsequent forensic examination of those devices revealed that Mangsanhanh used a computer, cell phones, and Dropbox, to acquire and possess child pornography. Over 100 videos of child pornography were discovered in Mangsanhanh’s possession. 

Mangsanhanh was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Mangsanhanh was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve an 8-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Mangsanhanh 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 Timothy Duax and investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, and the Storm Lake Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-4031.

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A man who received child pornography was sentenced May 11, 2020, to more than 5 years in federal prison.

Alec Gibson, 25, from Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 17, 2019, guilty plea to receipt of child pornography.

Evidence at the plea hearing and sentencing showed that between October 2016 and August 24, 2017, Gibson possessed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including a depiction involving a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.  During the execution of a search warrant at Gibson’s residence on August 24, 2017, officers seized items belonging to Gibson.  A forensic examiner found child pornography on some of these items, including depictions of adult males sexually penetrating prepubescent children.  Evidence also showed that Gibson made contact with children via online platforms, and admitted that some of the minors sent him nude photographs.

Gibson was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Gibson was sentenced to 70 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.  Gibson 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 the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, Sergeant Bluff Police Department, and U.S. Marshal's Service.

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

The case file number is 19-4040. 

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In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.  The week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

“Law enforcement officers stand on the front lines in our communities, keeping us safe.  This is particularly true in these uniquely challenging times,” said United States Attorney Deegan.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is dedicated to supporting all of our law enforcement partners – federal, state, local, and tribal.  I join the Attorney General in thanking our law enforcement officers for their bravery and commitment to others.  I ask that everyone do the same.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.

Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019.

Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). To register to view this free online event, please www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.

To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.

A Waterloo felon who was found with a gun in a car just four months after he was arrested for possessing a different gun in a car was sentenced today to more than seven years in federal prison.

Columbus Tre Lawrence, age 27, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 4, 2019 guilty plea to one count of possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.

At the guilty plea and sentencing hearings, Lawrence admitted that, on August 28, 2018, he possessed a loaded .357 magnum caliber pistol while a passenger in a car.  Lawrence is a felon and has been prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition for many years.

At the time of his arrest in August 2018, Lawrence was on pretrial release in state court on pending firearms-related charges.  In April 2018, Lawrence was found in a car with a handgun, arrested, and released pending trial.  That handgun had an obliterated serial number.  Lawrence later pled guilty in state court to possessing the firearm in April 2018, and then he was indicted in federal court for the possessing a firearm in August 2018.

Lawrence was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Lawrence was sentenced to 85 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.

Lawrence 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 Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Waterloo Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 19-CR-2058.

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Two Waterloo men who were located near handguns in an area where shots were fired were sentenced on May 7, 2020, to federal prison.

Chaston Fox, age 27, and Jayontae Gates, age 19, both from Waterloo, Iowa, received prison terms after pleading guilty on January 15, 2020.  Chaston Fox pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and received a sentence of

47 months in prison.  Jayontae Gates pled guilty to being a drug user in possession of firearm and ammunition and received a sentence of 18 months in prison.  

In plea agreements, both Fox and Gates admitted they were found in an area where gunfire had been heard.  Fox was located walking near a bag containing marijuana, a digital scale and baggies, and a Ruger .22 caliber revolver.  Fox was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a prior felony conviction for theft in the first degree.  Gates was located in the area of the gunfire entering a nearby apartment.  Inside the apartment, law enforcement recovered a Ruger .22 caliber pistol.  Gates had live .22 caliber ammunition in his pockets.  Gates was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was a user of illegal drugs. 

Fox and Gates were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Fox was sentenced to 47 months’ imprisonment.  He must serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  Gates was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.

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

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 19-CR-2077-CJW.

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