Northern District of Iowa

A man who distributed more than 17 pounds of ice methamphetamine was sentenced on March 7, 2018, to more than ten years in federal prison.

Justin Lee Branon, age 35, from Clemons, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 1, 2018 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Evidence during the case established that Branon received meth in pound or multiple pound quantities and distributed it throughout the Waterloo area.

Branon was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Branon was sentenced to 126 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.  Branon is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force (Waterloo Police Department; Cedar Falls Police Department; Waverly Police Department; Bremer County Sheriff’s Office; Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office; LaPorte City Police Department; Evansdale Police Department; Hudson Police Department), Mid Iowa Drug Task Force (Marshalltown Police Department; Marshall County Sheriff’s Office; Tama County), and Dubuque Drug Task Force (Dubuque Police Department; Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office).

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

The case file number is 17-cr-2002.

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

Victor Morales-Suar, age 42, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Marshalltown, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 16, 2019, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.

At the guilty plea, Morales-Suar admitted he had previously been deported from the United States in June 2003 and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Morales-Suar was deported after he was found to be working at a meat packing plant in South Sioux City, Nebraska, under a fake name and using fraudulent identification documents.

In November 2018, Morales-Suar was found by immigration agents after he was detained by the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in Tama, Iowa, after Morales-Suar attempted to enter the Meskwaki Casino using a fraudulent identification card. 

Morales-Suar was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C. J. Williams.  Morales-Suar was sentenced to 112 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.

Morales-Suar 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 18-CR-0116. 

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On March 14, 2019, Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jack Lammers will receive the Midwest HIDTA program’s outstanding prosecutor award from Jeff Stamm, the program director. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program (HIDTA), first established in 1990, is a drug enforcement program run by the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy. The program’s mission is to enhance and coordinate America's drug-control efforts among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in order to eliminate or reduce drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of the United States.          

In addition to consistently working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of drug related crimes in the Northern District of Iowa, AUSA Lammers recently led the investigation and prosecution of three individuals responsible for the sale and distribution of heroin which subsequently led to the death of Ty Olsen in October 2017.  Shelton Oliver, Don Glen and Earl Jackson all from Chicago, Illinois, were arrested in early April 2018. Glen pled guilty and was sentenced to 113 months’ imprisonment, Jackson also pled guilty and is facing a lengthy prison sentence. Oliver took his case to trial, where he was convicted, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 300 months’ imprisonment.

“Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers represents the very best in public service,” said U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan.  “Our entire office is very pleased that he is being honored with the Midwest HIDTA Outstanding Prosecutor Award.  Jack has worked tirelessly for more than two decades to protect our communities from the dangers of drugs and violent drug dealers.  He is an accomplished trial lawyer, a skilled mentor and instructor, and a valued friend and colleague.  I offer my thanks to the Midwest HIDTA board for recognizing Jack with this well-deserved award.”   

The award will be presented at 11:00 a.m. on March 14, 2019, at the United States Attorney’s Office in Sioux City. 

A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced March 8, 2019, to 8 years in federal prison.

Jamie Williams, 33, from Sanborn, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 21, 2018, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a protected location.

Evidence at the guilty plea and sentencing showed that from 2015 through January 2018, Williams distributed more than six pounds of methamphetamine from her residence.  Williams lived within 1000 feet of Hartley Melvin Sanborn Middle School.  In January 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Williams’ residence and seized over 120 grams of pure methamphetamine from her purse.   

Williams was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Williams was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve an eight-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Williams 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 Mikala M. Steenholdt and investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigations. 

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

The case file number is 18-4010.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced on March 7, 2019, in federal court in Sioux City.

Lee Charles Mercer, 42, from Galva, Iowa, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on August 21, 2018.  Mercer was previously convicted of three separate felony drug offenses in the Iowa District Court in 2013, 2004 and 1998.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings, showed that from November 2017 through March 2018, Mercer was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 2500 grams of methamphetamine near Galva, Iowa.  On March 12, 2018, Mercer was stopped for a traffic violation in Woodbury County, Iowa, and found in possession of meth, and $5,000 in cash.  Mercer admitted he planned to distribute the methamphetamine to other persons.  Mercer further admitted that he planned to use the $5,000 to purchase a pound of methamphetamine in Sioux City, Iowa.   

Mercer was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Mercer was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a term of ten years of supervised release following any imprisonment.  Mercer 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 was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux City Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 18-4018.

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A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed a gun while doing so was sentenced March 6, 2019, to more than 15 years in federal prison.

Todd Christopher Moritz, 47, from Estherville, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 11, 2018, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

Evidence at the guilty plea and sentencing showed that in June 2017, Moritz, driving a motorcycle, attempted to evade police. Moritz crashed the motorcycle, then fled on foot.  Once apprehended, officers seized over 7 grams of methamphetamine, baggies, a digital scale, and eight cell phones from Moritz.  Despite Moritz’s prior conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon, he also had a loaded gun with an obliterated serial number. 

Moritz was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Moritz was sentenced to 189 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.  Moritz is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala M. Steenholdt and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Estherville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigations. 

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

The case file number is 18-3012.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed firearms illegally pled guilty March 6, 2019 in federal court in Sioux City.

Tate Steburg, 47, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm.  Steburg had previously been convicted of two felony drug trafficking convictions in the Iowa District Court. 

At the plea hearing, Steburg admitted that from 2017 through February 2018, he was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 11 pounds of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area.  Evidence at the plea hearing also showed that Steburg sold methamphetamine and a stolen gun to an individual cooperating with law enforcement.  The gun was stolen in a Calhoun County, Iowa, burglary/arson case. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Steburg remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  On the drug conviction, Steburg faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and ten years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.  On the firearm conviction, Steburg faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigation. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 18-3013.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced March 5, 2019, to 12 years in federal prison.

Raymond Andrew Kerns, 37, from Cherokee, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 10, 2018, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Kerns was previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense in the Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County in August 2017.

Evidence at the guilty plea and sentencing showed that from January 2017 through February 2018, Kerns was involved in a conspiracy that distributed nearly three pounds of methamphetamine in and around the Cherokee, Iowa area.  On February 27, 2018, Kerns was apprehended by law enforcement in Storm Lake, Iowa while attempting to meet with another meth dealer.  Law enforcement seized $1,500 and 8 grams of methamphetamine from Kerns, which Kerns admitted he planned to distribute to other persons.   

Kerns was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Kerns was sentenced to 144 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.  Kerns 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 Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Storm Lake Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 18-4025.

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A man who illegally possessed ammunition was sentenced today to more than one year in federal prison.

Daejon Putman, age 22, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 23, 2018, guilty plea to being a drug user in possession of ammunition.

Evidence during the case showed police executed a search warrant at Putman’s residence and located a single round of .40 caliber ammunition in his bedroom.  Putman was also involved in distributing marijuana and Xanax and was a member of the Del Mob street gang in Waterloo. 

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

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-cr-2048.

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

Pedro Matom-Matom, age 31, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 2, 2019, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.

At the guilty plea, Matom-Matom admitted he had previously been deported from the United States in April 2006 and November 2014 and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Matom-Matom was found by immigration agents in October 2018 after he was charged in Linn County, Iowa, with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.  That case is still pending. 

Matom-Matom was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C. J. Williams.  Matom-Matom was sentenced to 113 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.

Matom-Matom 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 18-CR-112.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man who received child pornography pled guilty March 4, 2019, in federal court in Sioux City.

James Gailey, 49, from Storm Lake, Iowa, was convicted of one count of receipt of child pornography.

At the plea hearing, Gailey admitted that in October 2017 he utilized a Dropbox account to receive child pornography.  Gailey further admitted that in January 2018 he utilized a second Dropbox account to receive child pornography.  Gailey also admitted that he received images and videos of sexual abuse or exploitation of victims as young as infants or toddlers.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Gailey was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Gailey faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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

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

The case file number is 18-4065.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A convicted felon and domestic abuser who possessed a gun during a domestic incident was sentenced February 26, 2019, to the maximum sentence allowed, ten years in federal prison.

Kenneth Lamont Sanders, age 38, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 13, 2018, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  Sanders was prohibited from possessing guns because he was a convicted felon and domestic abuser.

Evidence presented at an earlier hearing showed Sanders was in an argument with his then-girlfriend when a minor in the residence heard her yelling “Put the gun down! Put the gun down!”  After police arrived on the scene, they recovered a gun in the couch at the residence.  The girlfriend had visible injuries to her face and neck.  During sentencing, the judge found that Sanders obstructed justice by trying to influence the testimony of the victim.

Sanders’s criminal history includes an adjudication for murder when he shot and killed another male.  Sanders’s history also includes convictions for battery, aggravated unlawful use of weapons, carrying weapons, domestic assault, domestic battery, aggravated assault, battery, criminal mischief, interference with official acts, assault, assault of a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of cocaine, resisting a peace officer, and numerous alcohol-related offenses.  Both the prior domestic battery and the domestic assault convictions involved guns.

Sanders was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Sanders was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment.  This was the maximum sentence allowed by law.  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.

Sanders 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 Dubuque Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

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

The case file number is 18-CR-1025.

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Over the last week, five people have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in trafficking methamphetamine throughout central and northern Iowa. 

Octavio Cortez Fierros, age 27, from Michoacán, Mexico, received a 420-month prison term after a September 4, 2018 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Mario Nava Zavala, age 26, from Michoacán, Mexico, received a 120-month prison term after an August 17, 2018 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Ulises Legorreta Chavez, age 30, from Michoacán, Mexico, received a 108-month prison term after an August 27, 2018 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Xiomara Gonzalez-Zambrano, age 38, from Atwater, California, received a 63-month prison term after an August 21, 2018 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Adilene Vanessa Garcia, age 21, from State Center, Iowa, received a 52-month prison term after an August 27, 2018 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Evidence at sentencing hearings showed that Fierros was the leader of a significant drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing ice methamphetamine to customers in Waterloo, Marshalltown, and Des Moines.  Fierros organized a network of individuals including Zavala, Chavez, and Garcia to assist him with the distribution of methamphetamine.  These individuals were responsible for delivering methamphetamine to Fierros’ customers, collecting money the customers owed for drug debts, translating for the Spanish speaking Fierros, and counting money. 

Gonzalez-Zambrano transported multiple pounds of methamphetamine from Kansas City to Des Moines for delivery to Fierros.  Fierros distributed methamphetamine to his customers in pound to multiple-pound quantities.  Over the course of a few months, Fierros distributed over 12 kilograms of methamphetamine, or approximately 28 pounds of methamphetamine.  This methamphetamine had a street value of over $1,000,000. 

All five individuals were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  They must also each serve a term of supervised release after the prison term.  All are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.

“Methamphetamine is a highly dangerous drug that severely threatens the safety of our communities,” said United States Attorney Deegan.  “We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the public from dangerous drug dealers and hold accountable those who seek to profit from methamphetamine trafficking.”    

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force (Waterloo Police Department; Cedar Falls Police Department; Waverly Police Department; Bremer County Sheriff’s Office; Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office; LaPorte City Police Department; Evansdale Police Department; Hudson Police Department), Mid Iowa Drug Task Force (Marshalltown Police Department; Marshall County Sheriff’s Office; Tama County), and Dubuque Drug Task Force (Dubuque Police Department; Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office).

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

The case file number is 18-cr-2002.

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A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty February 28, 2019, in federal court in Sioux City.

Michael Halstead, 32, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegal possession of ammunition.  Halstead was previously convicted of burglary in California in 2010.  

At the plea hearing, Halstead admitted that from about August 2016 through November 2018, he was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than seven pounds of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge and Webster County areas.  Halstead arranged for his mother and other family members to transport methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine, by car and train, from California to Iowa.           

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Halstead remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  On the conspiracy conviction, Halstead faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and five years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.  On the illegal possession of ammunition conviction, Halstead faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment; a $250,000 file, and up to three years of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Dodge Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

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

The case file number is 18-3046.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A Cedar Rapids man who sold methamphetamine and was involved in a February 6, 2017 shooting in Cedar Rapids was sentenced today to more than 24 years in federal prison.

Jerry Dean Love, age 40, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 1, 2018, guilty plea to one count of distribution of methamphetamine after a prior felony drug conviction and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement and at the guilty plea, Love admitted he sold 99% pure methamphetamine to an individual working with law enforcement on October 26, 2016. Love also admitted that he had a firearm on February 6, 2017, when he drove to a gas station located on Edgewood Road SW, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and shot the gun in the direction of Johnson Avenue.  Love admitted that when he was subsequently taken into custody by a Cedar Rapids police officer, he had the gun, numerous rounds of ammunition, and more methamphetamine he planned to sell.  Love admitted he had prior state felony convictions for manufacture and delivery of cocaine base and extortion/ terrorism.  Love also admitted he had a prior federal felony conviction for distribution of cocaine base near a school. 

Love was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Love was sentenced to 292 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Drew Inman and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 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.

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

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

The case file number is 17-CR-00012-LRR.

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An Ely woman who was a daily user of methamphetamine and possessed a gun was sentenced on February 22, 2019, to 16 months in federal prison. 

Melissa Kurth, age 38, from Ely, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 19, 2018 guilty plea to one count of being an unlawful user of methamphetamine in possession of a firearm. 

Kurth was driving a car in Cedar Rapids on January 26, 2018, when she was stopped by officers from the Cedar Rapids Police Department for a traffic violation.  During the stop, officers found a Savage Arms rifle and a BB gun in the trunk of the car.  The rifle had previously been reported stolen.  Officers also located drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine residue in the vehicle.  Kurth admitted she was a daily user of methamphetamine and that she also sold up to an ounce of methamphetamine daily in the Cedar Rapids area. 

In sentencing Kurth, the judge noted she had a lengthy criminal history which included over 20 criminal convictions.  Kurth has prior convictions for driving offenses, thefts, OWI, and attempted burglary. 

Kurth was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Kurth was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, with the final 3 months to be served in a residential facility.  She 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.

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

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.   

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

The case file number is 18-CR-00056.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Guilherme Alves De Melo (Alves), 34, a citizen of Brazil, was sentenced to serve over a year in prison today after an August 23, 2018 guilty plea to one count of intimidating a flight crew and flight attendants and lessening and interfering with their ability to perform their duties.­­

Information disclosed in the case shows that, on or about June 23, 2018, Alves was a passenger on an international American Airlines flight originating in Calgary, Canada, and bound for Chicago, Illinois.  During the flight, Alves became disruptive and was repeatedly told by flight attendants that he needed to calm down and that his conduct was potentially in violation of federal law.  The flight attendants brought the disruptive conduct to the attention of the captain.  About one hour before the flight was to arrive in Chicago, Alves again became disruptive and was scaring other passengers.  Less than a minute later, Alves was reported to have “lost it,” leading to some of the passengers needing to restrain him with zip ties provided by the flight crew. 

Alves behavior on the plane included:

• Repeatedly hitting himself
• Singing loudly and stomping his feet
• Making strange hand gestures to a woman seated across the aisle from him and eventually moving to a seat next to her and placing his hand on her arm before being redirected to his seat by a flight attendant and another passenger
• Writing on his face with a black marker
• Tearing up several personal identification documents including a passport, visa, Brazilian driver’s license, and a boarding pass
• Breaking a pen and destroying his headphones and eyeglasses
• Feigning that others had hit him and that he was bleeding
• Making wrist-slitting motions
• Talking about “9-1-1” and asking a passenger “are you scared”?

As a result of Alves’s behavior, the flight attendants and crew were not able to attend to their normal duties and the flight was diverted to the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids after it had begun its final descent to Chicago.

After the aircraft landed in Cedar Rapids, Alves was removed from the plane by Cedar Rapids police.  However, he again became loud and used expletives within sight and sound of other passengers, patrons, and employees at the airport.  Alves was charged with disorderly conduct for these actions and, on June 24, 2018, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in Linn County District Court.

Alves was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Linda Reade to a term of imprisonment of one year and one day.  Alves was also ordered to pay restitution to American Airlines in the amount of $4,790 for cost incurred in diverting the flight.  The Court ordered Alves to pay restitution totaling $455 to two passengers for counseling services resulting from Alves’s conduct. 

The Court separately ordered that Alves would be removed from the United States to Brazil upon completion of his prison term. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard L. Murphy and was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

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

The case file number is 18-CR-00071.

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A Mexican man who used another person’s social security number and a fraudulent “green card” to get a job was sentenced on February 21, 2019 to five months in federal prison.

Luis Gonzalez-Esparsa, age 46, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Cascade, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 28, 2018, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of unlawful use of an identification document and one count of misuse of a social security number. 

The evidence at trial showed that on June 14, 2018, Gonzalez-Esparsa used someone else’s social security number on employment and tax documents when applying for work in Peosta, Iowa.  He also used a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” to claim he was legally present and authorized to work in the United States.  The Alien Registration number on the “green card” had been issued to another person, a female from Mexico.

Gonzalez-Esparsa came to the attention of immigration officials following his arrest in August 2018 in Anamosa, Iowa, for failure to appear for court on a state law driving violation.  Gonzalez-Esparsa has been convicted of driving without a valid driver’s license eight times.  He was also convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in Allamakee County, Iowa, in 2005.  Gonzalez-Esparsa has illegally resided in the United States since 1996. 

Gonzalez-Esparsa was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C. J. Williams.  Gonzalez-Esparsa was sentenced to five 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.

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-1035-CJW.

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U.S. Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. announced today that the Northern District of Iowa collected $4,488,405.85 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2018.  Of this amount, $1,839,911.31 was collected in criminal actions and $2,648,494.54 was collected in civil actions. 

Additionally, the Northern District of Iowa worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $3,865,556.19 in civil cases pursued jointly with these offices.             

As a whole, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018.  The $14,839,821,650 in collections in FY 2018 represents is nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion ($2,136,750,000) budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices. 

“This office is committed to holding wrongdoers financially responsible for their actions and their crimes,” Deegan said.  “Collecting money from those who commit crimes and profit at the expense of others is a vital part of our mission.  We will continue to work diligently to collect money for the federal treasury and return money to victims of crime.”

“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice.  The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work,” Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.  In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.

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A New Mexico man was sentenced on February 22, 2019, to federal prison after he was convicted in Sioux City on September 27, 2018, following a two day jury trial.

William Thomas Hill, age 41 from Bloomfield, New Mexico, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

The evidence at trial showed that Hill was a leader in a conspiracy to distribute ice methamphetamine in the Sioux City area.  Hill recruited others to bring methamphetamine from California to sell in the Sioux City area.  Hill, and others arranged large quantities of methamphetamine to be delivered to Sioux City on at least three occasions in the fall of 2017.  On November 8, 2017, Hill, and co-defendant Kelvin Ross, were in possession 2 pounds of nearly pure methamphetamine from California.  Hill was arrested while arranging the transfer of the drugs to a Sioux City man, and Ross was arrested at a local motel later that night.  When Ross was arrested, officers of the Tri-State Drug Task Force found two pounds of high purity methamphetamine in the engine compartment of his car. 

Hill was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Hill was sentenced to 262 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.

Hill 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 Jack Lammers and Mikala Steenholdt, and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa.  The Tri-State Drug Task Force consists of law enforcement personal from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office..  

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

The case file number is 17-CR-4071-LTS.

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A man who had of multiple felony offenses, including an Iowa State conviction for dominion and control of a firearm as a felon in 1991, was sentenced February 20, 2019, to federal prison for, once again, unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Jon Merrit Draper, age 57, from Cherokee, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 18, 2018, guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a felon.

Evidence at Draper’s sentencing and change of plea hearings revealed on January 14, 2018 he was a marijuana manufacturer, distributor, and user who was also a felon in possession of three guns.  It also revealed Draper’s marijuana operation fed the weekly habit of at least one person for approximately two years, the daily habit of others for an unknown time period. 

Draper kept the guns in a bedroom adjacent to a parlor used for drug-use, and above a basement used to manufacture drugs.  Two of the guns were loaded, none of them were cased.  Ammunition was also found in the basement.  

Draper’s criminal history included a conviction for dominion and control of a firearm as a felon in 1991 (for which he received a 15-year suspended sentence), two minor controlled substance related violations in 2003, and 2015, six OWI convictions, and an assault conviction. 

Draper was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Draper was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term and pay a $100 special assessment.  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.

Draper 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 investigated by Cherokee Police Department, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office 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 18-CR-4058.

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 A man who illegally possessed a handgun and methamphetamine pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Shane LaGrange, age 36, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

At the plea hearing, LaGrange admitted that on December 29, 2017, he possessed at least five grams of pure methamphetamine that he intended to distribute to others.  He further admitted that he also possessed a gun in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.  Both the methamphetamine and the gun were found when defendant was arrested by officers from 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.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge CJ Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  LaGrange remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  LaGrange faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $8,250,000.00 fine, and eight years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-00090.

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A man with a lengthy and violent criminal history who illegally possessed a handgun was sentenced today to nearly four years in federal prison.

Cleveland Dwayne Smith, age 32, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 9, 2018 guilty plea to one count of possessing a firearm after being convicted of a crime of domestic violence.

At the guilty plea and in a plea agreement, Smith admitted he was driving a car in Cedar Rapids on August 3, 2017, when police stopped the car for a traffic violation.  At the time of the stop, Smith possessed a .380 caliber handgun and a magazine with five live rounds of ammunition.  Smith was prohibited from possessing guns because he had previously been convicted of a crime of domestic violence.

Information at Smith’s sentencing hearing showed that his conviction for domestic violence was one of six assault convictions on his record.  In sentencing Smith, the judge noted he had a long and violent criminal history and the victims of his violence were often women.  In addition to the assault convictions, Smith also had five previous convictions for interference with official acts, where he interfered with police while officers were performing official duties.

Smith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Smith was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.       

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

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-63.

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A Mexican man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported four times was sentenced yesterday to 33 months in federal prison.

Jorge Gonzalez-Juarez, age 33, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Eagle Grove, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 26, 2018 guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after two prior felony convictions.  Gonzalez-Juarez also received a prison term for violating the conditions of supervised release imposed on a conviction in the Western District of Texas in 2015 for illegal reentry.

At the guilty plea, Gonzalez-Juarez admitted he had previously been deported from the United States on August 27, 2008, October 14, 2009, December 2, 2014, and October 18, 2016, and illegally reentered the United States in 2016 without the permission of the United States government.

This was Gonzalez-Juarez’s third felony conviction for illegal reentry into the United States.  Gonzalez-Juarez was also convicted of illegal entry into the United States in 2014 in the Northern District of Iowa and in 2015 in the Western District of Texas.  Gonzalez-Juarez has also been convicted in Iowa of operating while intoxicated (OWI) in 2006, possession of methamphetamine under an alias name in 2007, criminal mischief in 2008, and fifth degree theft under an alias name in 2009.  Gonzalez-Juarez most recently came to the attention of immigration officials following his arrest in July 2018 in Wright County, Iowa, for failure to appear on an OWI charge from 2014 where he was charged under an alias name.  Gonzalez-Juarez was convicted of that state OWI offense in August 2018. 

Gonzalez-Juarez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Gonzalez-Juarez was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment on the illegal reentry conviction and 12 months’ imprisonment for violating the term of supervised release imposed on the conviction in the Western District of Texas.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term on the new conviction for illegal reentry.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-3037-CJW.

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An experienced Algona contractor who purchased and renovated the former Kossuth County Home without thoroughly inspecting for asbestos was sentenced February 13, 2019, to two years of probation. 

Steven A. Weaver, age 61, from Algona, Iowa, received sentence after an October 11, 2018 guilty plea to one count of violating clean air work practice standards.

In a plea agreement, Weaver admitted he was an experienced contractor and building inspector who had worked for various Iowa municipalities since the early 2000s.  During this time, Weaver performed work for the municipalities that was financed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Iowa Finance Authority.  Weaver was responsible for conducting initial inspections of residential properties to determine whether it was cost-effective to rehabilitate each home.  In conjunction with this work, Weaver gained experience working with lead and asbestos. 

In November 2013, Weaver purchased the former Kossuth County Home in the Algona area.  Weaver intended to convert the building into apartments to be known as “The Oasis.”  Weaver hired workers to renovate the building.  None of these workers were licensed to remove asbestos.  Prior to beginning the renovation, Weaver failed to thoroughly inspect the building for asbestos to determine whether it was subject to regulation.

In November 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) searched Weaver’s property and determined piping in the basement contained regulated asbestos.  Weaver’s workers had already removed the piping.  An EPA agent asked Weaver whether he had notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (“IDNR”) before the renovation and, when Weaver indicated he had not, the EPA agent instructed Weaver to report to IDNR.  However, Weaver did not notify IDNR.  Instead, Weaver continued the renovation operation in late 2014 without properly notifying IDNR. 

Weaver was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Chief Judge Strand indicated the offense was “aggravating” because Weaver had cut corners on his own renovation project and potentially put his workers at risk of asbestos exposure.  Weaver was sentenced to two years of probation, fined $10,000, and ordered to pay costs of prosecution in the amount of $1,573.35. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tim Vavricek and Matt Cole and investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

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

The case file number is 18-CR-3039-LTS.

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A Nashua man with multiple prior felony convictions who sold two firearms in July 2018 was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison.

Dalton Mathias Prochaska, age 27, from Nashua, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 14, 2018 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Prochaska admitted selling two guns to different people.  Within a five-day period in July 2018, Prochaska sold a 9mm pistol and a .45 caliber pistol.  Prochaska was previously convicted of three felony offenses, two burglaries and a forgery.

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

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

Prochaska 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 Nashua Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, Chickasaw Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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

The case file number is 18-Cr-2056.

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An Iowa nurse who stole pain medications from his patients and created false medical records to cover up his thefts was sentenced February 13, 2019, to three years in federal prison.

James Allen Moorehead, age 58, from Mason City, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 13, 2018 guilty plea to one count of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge, one count of false statements relating to health care matters, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

In a plea agreement, Moorehead admitted that he was employed at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, Iowa, as a registered nurse in 2016 and 2017.  During this employment, he used patient identities to get controlled substances by accessing their prescribed medication in the hospital’s system and diverting those pain pills to himself.  He specifically stole pills containing hydrocodone.  Moorehead concealed his scheme by making false entries in medical records that the medications were actually administered to the patients.  He would also give his patients Tylenol instead of their prescribed pain medication.  Multiple patients reported increased pain during Moorehead’s shifts.

Moorehead had previously surrendered his nursing license under a 2008 Iowa Board of Nursing agreement, after having been terminated from North Iowa Mercy Health Center and Genesis Health Center for stealing opioids.  The Iowa Board of Nursing reinstated Moorehead’s nursing license in June 2011, and he began working at Franklin General Hospital in March 2012.  He was terminated from that job in March 2017.

Moorehead was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  At Moorehead’s sentencing, Judge Reade called his crimes “outrageous” and found the impact upon his victims to be “significant.”  Judge Reade noted that Moorehead had received a second chance from the Iowa Board of Nursing but had reengaged in the same criminal conduct to the detriment of vulnerable people in his care.

Moorehead was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment and fined $20,000.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Judge Reade also found Moorehead lied on a court form, under oath, in order to obtain court-appointed counsel, by failing to disclose assets, including bonds and an IRA.  Judge Reade ordered Moorehead’s lawyer to itemize all of the lawyer’s costs in defending Moorhead and indicated the Court would order Moorehead to repay all of those costs to the Court at a later date.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lyndie M. Freeman and Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. 

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

The case file number is 18-CR-3021.

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A woman who possessed guns while using drugs was sentenced on February 13, 2019, to three years’ probation.

Marliesha Scott, age 39, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the sentence after a July 9, 2019, guilty plea to drug user in possession of firearms.  Scott possessed three guns while using cocaine and marijuana.  The guns were recovered during a Department of Human Services investigation related to her minor children. 

Scott was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Scott was sentenced to three years’ probation.

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-1014.

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A Waterloo marijuana user who possessed a gun and high-capacity magazine was sentenced yesterday to more than two years in federal prison.

Antonio Rodriquez Ross, age 24, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 24, 2018 guilty plea to being a drug user in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Ross admitted he possessed a gun while he was an unlawful user of marijuana.  He further admitted that at the time he possessed the gun, law enforcement was investigating him for his involvement in drug trafficking and use crimes.  Ross was also in possession of a high-capacity magazine capable of holding 30 rounds of ammunition.

Ross was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Ross was sentenced to 32 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.

Ross 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 Waterloo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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-2018.

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A man who illegally possessed a shotgun that he used to steal money was sentenced on February 13, 2019, to eight years in federal prison.

Harold Amos, age 40, from Coos Bay, Oregon, received the prison term after an August 9, 2018 guilty plea to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

In March 2018, Amos was at the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, Iowa.  Video cameras captured him becoming very angry while in a discussion with other individuals.  Amos left the casino and went to his car.  One of the other individuals also went outside.  Amos then got a shotgun from the car and pointed it at the other individual.  While armed with the shotgun, Amos stole cash from this individual.  Police later located Amos driving this same car and recovered the shotgun in the truck.  The shotgun was loaded. 

Amos had previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and a felony for manufacturing methamphetamine. 

Amos was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Amos 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Meskwaki Nation Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

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

The case file number is 18-CR-0025.

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A Lisbon man who kept a rifle next to methamphetamine and marijuana he planned to sell was sentenced today to more than two years in federal prison.

Kevin Seeman, age 51, from Lisbon, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 8, 2018 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Seeman possessed a rifle, which he stored in an outbuilding near marijuana and methamphetamine that he planned to sell.  Evidence at sentencing also showed that, just two weeks prior to the sentencing hearing, officers conducted a traffic stop of Seeman’s vehicle in Cedar Rapids, smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle, and found marijuana and methamphetamine on one of the passengers. 

Seeman was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Seeman was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

Seeman was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshall’s Service on February 28, 2019.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Schunk and investigated by the Lisbon Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

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

The case file number is 18-cr-00101-CJW.

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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa has established a link on its website and a dedicated telephone line to provide case updates and other information, including assistance in submitting victim impact statements or claims for restitution, for potential victims in the cases involving defendants Randy Constant, Tom Brennan, James Brennan, and Mike Potter and those who purchased organic grain or other products produced with organic grain that was sold through Jericho Solutions between 2010 and 2017. 

Under the Crime Victims Rights Act victims of federal crimes have several rights, including: to be notified of certain Court proceedings; to be reasonably heard by the Court; and to submit claims for restitution. Through the website, potential victims will be provided timely and accurate information about the criminal cases and their rights under the law.

Potential victims can view the Victim Witness Assistance link on the United States Attorney’s website to receive updated case information. The website provides victims with information about their statutory rights and includes links to court documents in the case.  The website also contains a link to a victim impact statement, through which persons claiming to have been victims of one of the referenced cases can submit a statement to the Court and/or make a claim for restitution. The website may be found at: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/victim-witness-assistance/information-victims-large-cases.

A Mexican man who used false identification documents to obtain jobs was sentenced today to more than three months in federal prison.

Sergio Castro-Ramirez, age 40, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 17, 2018, guilty plea to two counts of unlawful use of identification documents and two counts of misuse of a social security number.

At the guilty plea, Castro-Ramirez admitted he used a fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” when he completed Employment Eligibility Verification Forms (Form I-9), state and federal W-4 tax forms, and other employment paperwork on April 2, 2015, and October 18, 2016, at businesses in Waverly and Shell Rock, Iowa.  The Social Security number and the Alien Registration number on the “green card” which Castro-Ramirez claimed as his own were assigned other people.  Castro-Ramirez also falsely claimed to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States. 

In August 1996, Castro-Ramirez was first apprehended by immigration agents for being illegally present in the United States and illegally working in Marshalltown, Iowa, and was returned to Mexico.  Castro-Ramirez was caught by U.S. Border Patrol agents illegally present in the United States four additional times between February 1997 and April 2001, and returned to Mexico each time.  Castro-Ramirez returned illegally to the United States and was convicted of operating while intoxicated in Wapello County, Iowa, in 2003.

Castro-Ramirez most recently came to the attention of immigration officials following his arrest in July 2018 in Black Hawk County, Iowa, for domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury.  On October 31, 2018, Castro-Ramirez was convicted of that offense in state court and was taken into immigration custody on November 1, 2018. 

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

Castro-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 18-CR-2065-CJW.

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A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed  a firearm was sentenced February 11, 2019, to more than seven years in federal prison.

Mark David Beckman, 32, from Odebolt, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 30, 2018, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm.

At sentencing, the court found that from about 2014 through about December 2017 Beckman was involved in a conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine in and around Sac and Ida counties.  Beckman admitted he possessed a firearm on November 9, 2017, while: (1) being a user of methamphetamine; and (2) subject to a domestic abuse restraining order. 

Beckman was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Beckman was sentenced to 87 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.  Beckman 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 Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Ida County Sheriff’s Office, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and DCI Criminalistics Laboratory. 

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

The case file number is 18-4024. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A two-time felon who possessed a three different firearms on three different occasions was sentenced to two years in federal prison today.

Chad Michael Chase, age 42, from Algona, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 20, 2018, guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence from the change of plea and sentencing hearing revealed defendant had a history of violence, five OWI convictions (including two felony violations), had illegally possessed three firearms on three occasions, and had twice been disarmed by local police before being prosecuted federally.

Chase was sentenced in Sioux City by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Chase was sentenced to 24 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.  Chase 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 the 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 violence crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violence offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office 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 18-CR-03008.

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A Waterloo man who illegally possessed a firearm and ammunition while being a user of marijuana and methamphetamine was sentenced today to more than one year in federal prison.

Scott Francis Gilson, age 38, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 4, 2018 guilty plea to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a drug user.

Evidence at sentencing showed police stopped Gilson after observing him drive erratically on a motorcycle.  During the traffic stop, police seized a .45 caliber firearm from his waistband.  The firearm was loaded with the hammer cocked back.

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

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-206.

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A Waterloo man who possessed a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense was sentenced today to more than four years in federal prison.

Brady Lee Morgan, age 25, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 13, 2018 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Evidence during the case showed Morgan was in possession of a firearm after police received information that he was in possession of a firearm and cocaine.  Police located Morgan at a residence in Waterloo and arrested him pursuant to a previously issued state warrant.  Immediately next to Morgan, in a bag, was a firearm as well as drug packaging material.  Morgan had previously been convicted of assault causing serious injury after participating in a fight that permanently left the victim without the use of one eye.

Morgan was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Morgan was sentenced to 57 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.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Waterloo Police Department. 

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

The case file number is 18-CR-2030.

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A Monticello man who robbed a bank in Springville last year was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.  Joseph Jay Kripner, age 46, received the prison term after an August 21, 2018 guilty plea to one count of bank robbery.

On June 1, 2018, which was Kripner’s birthday, Kripner robbed the Security State Bank in Springville, Iowa.  During the robbery, he displayed what appeared to be a gun to a teller and told her not to make him point the gun at her.  The teller provided Kripner with $3,988 in cash in a plastic shopping bag and he then fled the scene.  With the help of the “Crimestoppers” tip line, law enforcement officers later compared photographs of Kripner on his Facebook page and prior booking photographs with surveillance camera footage from the bank.  The booking photographs showed that Kripner has a distinctive tattoo on the right side of his neck, depicting red lips with the word “Always” written above the lips and the word “Loved” written below the lips.

Kripner fled to Colorado after robbing the bank.  On June 18, 2018, National Park Service Rangers arrested Kripner in the Rocky Mountain National Park.  Kripner was found near the same car he used in the bank robbery, and the Park Rangers discovered $589.36 in cash, marijuana, live ammunition, and the pellet gun Kripner used in the robbery.

Kripner was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Kripner was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $3,988 in restitution to the bank.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Kripner 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 Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Rocky Mountain National Park Rangers. 

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

The case file numbers are 18-CR-67-LTS (N.D. Iowa), 18-MJ-204-CJW (N.D. Iowa) and 18-MJ-1111-NYW (D. Colo.).

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A two-time felon who possessed multiple handguns and methamphetamine was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison.

Eric Allen Boyer, age 36, from Hiawatha, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 2, 2018 guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Boyer admitted he was hiding in a bedroom closet in a house on Washington Avenue SE while the Cedar Rapids Police Department conducted a search there in April 2017.  During the search of the bedroom where Boyer was found, officers seized a pistol, a stolen revolver, approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, syringes, and drug packaging.  Boyer had the firearms, at least in part, to protect the drugs from being stolen.  Boyer had previously been convicted of arson in the second degree in 2015, and of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in 2010.

Boyer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Boyer was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Boyer is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

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

The case was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham. 

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

The case file number is 18-CR-00047-LRR.

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A man who admitted to being a money collector for a large‑scale ice methamphetamine distribution operation was sentenced February 7, 2019, to thirteen years in federal prison.

Jose Juan Ceja, age 25, from Bell Gardens, California, received the prison term after a June 28, 2018 guilty plea to one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that Ceja worked primarily as a money collector for a Mexican drug cartel that was responsible for distributing over three kilograms of ice methamphetamine in the Dubuque, Iowa, area in 2017.  In October 2017, Ceja appeared at one of his customers’ homes looking to retrieve something from a prior shipment of methamphetamine.  When the customer did not tell him the location of the methamphetamine, Ceja showed the customer videos of cartel members cutting off peoples’ hands and heads, and made threats against another member of the conspiracy.

Ceja was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Ceja was sentenced to 156 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.

Ceja 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and Dubuque Drug Task Force, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham and Special Assistant United States Attorney Drew Inman.

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

The case file number is 18-CR-1002-4-LTS-MAR.

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A man who possessed methamphetamine and heroin pled guilty February 7, 2019, in federal court in Sioux City.

Jerry Rhoades, 44, from Peoria, Illinois, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of heroin.

At the plea hearing, Rhoades admitted that on May 25, 2018, he was found asleep in his car at a local motel in Woodbury County, Iowa, in possession of heroin and methamphetamine. Rhoades admitted he went from Illinois to California with $6,000 to pick up 20 pounds of marijuana but the deal failed – so Rhoades bought heroin and methamphetamine instead, which Rhoades intended to sell.  Rhoades further admitted to being a user of heroin and a seller (middle-man) of marijuana and methamphetamine.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Rhoades remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  On the methamphetamine conviction, Rhoades faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and three years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.  On the heroin conviction, Rhoades faces a likely possible maximum sentence of not more than one year imprisonment, a $1,000 fine and a term of supervised release of one year.

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

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

The case file number is 18-4081. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

A man entered the United States illegally from Honduras was sentenced on February 6, 2019, to five months’ in prison.

Walter Redondo-Amador, age 23, from Honduras, received the sentence after a November 13, 2018, guilty plea to one count of illegal re-entry after a felony conviction.

At the guilty plea, Redondo-Amador admitted he had illegally entered the United States from Honduras after being deported for a conviction of delivery of marijuana in 2014, in Wright County, Iowa.  On July 13, 2018, Redondo-Amador was arrested for third degree sexual abuse in Humboldt County.    

Redondo-Amador was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Redondo-Amador was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term. 

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-03050.

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A man who entered the United States illegally from Honduras was sentenced on February 20, 2019, to six months’ in prison.

Enrique Garcia-Dormes, age 32, from Honduras, received the sentence after a December 12, 2018, guilty plea to one count of illegal re-entry.

At the guilty plea, Garcia-Dormes admitted he had illegally entered the United States from Honduras, on an unknown date, after previously being deported in June of 2013.  On August 29, 2018, officers from the Enforcement and Removal Office from ICE, acting on information provided by the Sioux City Police Department, conducted surveillance in Spencer, Iowa, searching for ICE fugitive Garcia-Dormes.  Officers witnessed Garcia-Dormes exit a hotel and enter a vehicle along with two other occupants.  Officers stopped the vehicle, and arrested Garcia-Dormes.

Garcia-Dormes was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Garcia-Dormes was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 1-year term of supervised release after the prison term. 

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-04079.

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A total of 28 individuals were sentenced in Federal Court in the Northern District of Iowa between December 27, 2018 and January 25, 2019.  The offenses of conviction varied, with the vast majority being drug and gun offenses.

1. Jose Hedaldo Padilla-Ferrera was sentenced to 93 days’ imprisonment to be followed by 1 year of supervised release on one count of illegal reentry.  The sentence was imposed on December 27, 2018, in case file number 18-CR-02054.
    
2. Chris Bruce was sentenced to 230 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  The sentence was imposed on January 3, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-03028.
    
3. Alston Ray Campbell, Jr. was sentenced to 262 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack) and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  The sentence was imposed on January 3, 2019, in case file number 17-CR-02045.  Campbell Jr. was convicted following a jury trial in April 2018, along with his brother, William Campbell, and father, Alston Ray Campbell, Sr. for offenses relating to their participation in a drug trafficking organization in Waterloo.  His father and brother will be sentenced at a later date. 
    
4. Erick Corona Cardenas was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  The sentence was imposed on January 3, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-04016.
    
5. 
   Keylynn Landon Goldsmith was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 1 year of supervised release on two counts of use of communication facility.  The sentence was imposed on January 3, 2019, in case file number 17-CR-02051.
6. Eric John Steve was sentenced to 7 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 1 year of supervised release on one count of possession of a controlled substance (third offense).  The sentence was imposed on January 4, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-01031.  The case arose from Steve’s possession of heroin. 
    
7. Antonio Scott McGhee was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance.  The sentence was imposed on January 4, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-02019.
    
8. Sanela Dedic was sentenced to 3 years’ probation on one count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.  Selmir Salkanovic was sentenced to 93 days’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.  The sentences were imposed on January 4, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-02057.  Salkanovic, a citizen of Bosnia, overstayed his visitor visa.  Dedic, Salkanovic’s sister and a naturalized citizen of the United States, found a United States citizen, a young woman, from Waterloo, Iowa, to marry Salkanovic in an attempt to defeat United States immigration laws.  Salkanovic and Dedic promised to pay the young woman $5,000 to marry Salkanovic.  Salkanovic married the young woman one week before the departure deadline.
    
9. Francisco Javier Ransaure-Jacome was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 1 year of supervised release on one count of illegal reentry.  The sentence was imposed on January 8, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-04061.  Ransaure-Jacome had previously been convicted in Clay County, Iowa, of attempted burglary, assault with a dangerous weapon (a knife), and assaulting a fellow inmate at the Clay County jail.
    
10. Adrian Harlan, Jr. was sentenced to 3 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 1 year of supervised release on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a drug user.  The sentence was imposed on January 10, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-04027.
     
11. Duaine Harbert was sentenced to 113 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing heroin.  The sentence was imposed on January 10, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-04008.
     
12. Boulder Young was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was imposed on January 14, 2019, in case file number 17-CR-04030.
     
13. Traeton Wilharm was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  The sentence was imposed on January 15, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-02027.
     
14. Henry Lee Booth was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  The sentence was imposed on January 16, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-04030.
     
15. William James Wesley was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  The sentence was imposed on January 17, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-01011.  The sentencing judge enhanced Wesley’s sentence for threatening a grand jury witness in an unrelated case.
     
16. Victor Wicher was sentenced to 71 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  The sentence was imposed on January 17, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-00057.  At the time he possessed the firearm, Wicher was a felon with three prior domestic assault convictions and a history of other violent offenses.  His offense was based on an incident where he threatened to kill himself during an argument with his then-girlfriend while holding a gun to his head.  Wicher later entered into the then-girlfriend’s residence, choked her and threatened her and a family member in an attempt to prevent her from cooperating against him.  Wicher was convicted of a fourth domestic assault offense based on the incident involving him entering the then-girlfriend’s residence and threatening and choking her.
     
17. Jesse Andrew Hall was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user.  The sentence was imposed on January 17, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-02021.
     
18. Gerald Francis Straka was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user.  The sentence was imposed on January 18, 2019, in case file number 19-CR-01020.
     
19. Derrick Ford was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of interference and attempted interference with commerce by threats and violence and aiding and abetting such violation.  The sentence was imposed on January 18, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-00015.  Ford served as the driver for Gage Rupp and Cedric Wright who robbed a Cedar Rapids Sprint Store of more than $40,000 in electronic devices and cash.  Rupp and Wright have also been convicted for their involvement in the robbery and for carrying a gun found in the robbery getaway car.  Wright was also convicted at trial in November 2018 of carjacking the robbery getaway car at gunpoint from a Kirkwood college student the night before the Sprint Store robbery.  Rupp and Wright will be sentenced at a later date. 
20. Juan Sanchez-Velasco was sentenced to 136 days’ imprisonment to be followed by 1 year of supervised release on one count of illegal re-entry.  The sentence was imposed on January 18, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-00088.
     
21. Cornelius Herbert Terrell Wright was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of distribution of heroin.  The sentence was imposed on January 23, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-00061.  The case arose from Wright’s distribution of heroin that was laced with synthetic fentanyl.
     
22. Christopher Smith was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of possession of firearms by a felon.  The sentence was imposed on January 23, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-03015.
     
23. Dominique Dwight Williams was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user.  The sentence was imposed on January 24, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-00046.  At the time of his arrest, Williams needed to be subdued with a taser after he initially failed to respond to police directives.
     
24. Dion Clayborn was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 6 years of supervised release on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance near a protected location.  The sentence was imposed on January 25, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-00051.
     
25. Brianna Marie Martin was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 6 years of supervised release on one count of distribution of heroin.  The sentence was imposed on January 25, 2019, in case file number 18-CR-01021.  Martin distributed methadone to a person who died after using the drug.
     
26. Dakota Lee Sanders was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  The sentence was imposed on January 25, 2019, in case file number 17-CR-03060.
     
27. Samuel Arias was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 2 years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  The sentence was imposed on January 25, 2019, in case file number 17-CR-02084.  Arias’ money laundering conviction resulted from his opening a bank account which was used to launder approximately $280,000 in drug proceeds. 

There is no parole in the federal system.

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

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

Alfonso Salazar-Ruiz, age 41, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Eagle Grove, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 5, 2018, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been convicted of a felony offense.

At the guilty plea, Salazar-Ruiz admitted he had previously been deported from the United States in October 2017 and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Salazar-Ruiz was found by immigration agents in October 2018 after he was charged in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with official acts.  That case is still pending.  Salazar-Ruiz provided a false name to law enforcement when he was arrested.  Fingerprint analysis confirmed Salazar-Ruiz’s identity and prior removal from the United States.  Salazar-Ruiz has prior convictions in Wright County, Iowa, for possession of methamphetamine in 2015, two convictions for driving while license under suspension in 2017, and one conviction for driving while barred, habitual offender in 2017.  Salazar-Ruiz has also been convicted nine times for driving without a valid driver’s license.

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

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-3052-CJW. 

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A Guatemalan man who used another person’s social security number to complete employment paperwork was sentenced today to five months in federal prison.

Adner Toj-Velasquez, age 35, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Postville, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 26, 2018, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of misuse of a social security number. 

The evidence at trial showed that on February 8, 2015, Toj-Velasquez used someone else’s social security number on employment and tax documents when applying for work in Luana, Iowa.  On the employment form, Toj-Velasquez falsely claimed to be a United States citizen.   

Toj-Velasquez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Toj-Velasquez was sentenced to five 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.

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-1036-CJW.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

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

Domingo Pacheco-Poo, age 44, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 10, 2018, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.

At the guilty plea, Pacheco-Poo admitted he had previously been deported from the United States in July 2012 and September 2012 and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government.  Pacheco-Poo was convicted in Arizona in August 2012 of illegal entry into the United States.  Pacheco-Poo was also given a voluntary return to Mexico in April 2006 where he used an alias and claimed to be a Mexican citizen.  Pacheco-Poo was found by immigration officials in November 2018 when he unexpectedly accompanied his family to the immigration office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the other members of his family were required to report.  Fingerprints confirmed Pacheco-Poo’s identity and his prior removal.

Pacheco-Poo, under an alias name, also used fraudulent identification documents and a Social Security number issued to another person to complete employment paperwork in August 2014 at a business in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.  Pacheco-Poo failed to report to work in May 2018 when immigration officials executed a search warrant at that business and arrested other illegal aliens. 

Pacheco-Poo was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Pacheco-Poo was sentenced to 92 days’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Pacheco-Poo 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 18-CR-109-CJW.

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A man who had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including a conviction for being a felon in possession of a gun, was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison for once again unlawfully possessing a gun.

Robert Dettbarn, age 26, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 27, 2018 guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a felon.

Information from a plea agreement and at sentencing showed that on May 22, 2018, Dettbarn was a passenger in car that was stopped by Dubuque police.  During the stop, Dettbarn got out of the car holding a loaded handgun, which was pointed at an officer.  Officers ordered Dettbarn to drop his gun, but he ignored the orders and pointed the gun in the air.  He then walked away from officers and pointed the gun at his own head.  He was near Fulton Elementary and officers called to have the school locked down.  After approximately two hours of negotiations, Dettbarn surrendered to officers.   

Dettbarn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Dettbarn was sentenced to 80 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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.

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

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-1032.

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A man who possessed four firearms and over 600 rounds of ammunition while using and selling marijuana was sentenced today to nearly four years in federal prison. 

Kimble John Slaman, age 65, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 24, 2018, guilty plea to one count of possession of firearm by a prohibited person and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

In a plea agreement, Slaman admitted that, between 2012 and 2015, he made a series of false statements in order to obtain guns and a permit to carry weapons.  At the time, Slaman was an unlawful user of marijuana, but he denied using marijuana on federal forms in order to purchase guns.  Slaman also began selling marijuana.  He received his supply of marijuana through the mail from an individual in Oregon.  The marijuana was sent to Slaman’s home on Mount Vernon Road in Cedar Rapids.  Slaman also hired a person to transport two pounds of marijuana from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Cedar Rapids.

In December 2015, law enforcement officers intercepted one of the packages, which contained 15 pounds of marijuana.  Officers then searched Slaman’s home.  Officers found four firearms, a tactical vest, and over 600 rounds of ammunition in Slaman’s bedroom.  One of the firearms, a Colt M4 5.56mm rifle, was loaded.  The tactical vest held a seven-inch knife in a scabbard and clips of ammunition, including a 9mm clip that held 31 rounds.  Slaman admitted he had received at least six shipments of marijuana from Oregon, which he had either used or sold to his customers.  Officers found 458 grams of marijuana in Slaman’s kitchen, mostly in the dishwasher, and 2,499 grams of marijuana in Slaman’s garage.  Slaman’s marijuana had exotic titles, including “Foo X Haze,” “WWP Athena,” “Goo Chili Sticky,” “Special X,” and “BO.”

Slaman was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Slaman was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment, fined $2,000, and ordered to pay over $2,600 in costs of prosecution.  Slaman must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Slaman 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 Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

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

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

The case file number is 18-CR-85.

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A man who was serving a fifteen year federal prison sentence when he tried to hire a “hitman” to murder two people in Northeast Iowa was convicted by a jury today after a six-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Jason Harriman, age 44, formerly of Traer and Independence, Iowa, was convicted of two counts of murder-for-hire.  The verdict was returned this afternoon following about four hours of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that in 2011, Harriman was sentenced to serve fifteen years in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a gun and ammunition.  While in federal prison in Arkansas, Harriman made multiple phone calls and sent multiple emails to an individual he thought was a hired killer, but was actually an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  After meeting with the “hitman” in person in the prison, Harriman signed a contract calling for the murders of two people who were living in Northeast Iowa.  Harriman agreed to pay the “hitman” $21,000 and had already given the “hitman” a 1969 Dodge Charger as a down payment.    

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Harriman remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Harriman faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and six years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Morfitt and Kyndra Lundquist and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. 

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

The case file number is 18-CR-2033-LRR.

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