Southern District of Iowa

DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City woman, Whitney Terrion Claybon, age 32, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 27 months in prison for Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Claybon was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow her prison term, as well as immediately pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Law enforcement identified Claybon during a large-scale straw purchasing investigation. On January 4, 2021, Claybon and John Vest-Walker—who is also charged in this district with various firearm offenses—went into a local sporting goods store and looked at firearms. Claybon then surreptitiously provided money to Vest-Walker and he completed the firearm purchase. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Claybon’s residence in Coralville, locating five rounds of ammunition in her purse. Claybon admitted knowing Vest-Walker was “flipping” firearms. Law enforcement recovered the firearm in the possession of one of Claybon’s relatives on January 21, 2021. Claybon pleaded guilty to this offense on November 5, 2021.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa City Police Department investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man, John Curtis Vest-Walker, age 35, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 37 months in prison for Drug User in Possession of a Firearm, False Statement During a Purchase of a Firearm, and Conspiracy. Vest-Walker was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and immediately pay $300 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Law enforcement identified Vest-Walker as a subject in a large-scale straw purchasing investigation in December 2020, when he appeared at multiple search warrant locations seeking return of his firearms. On December 10, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Vest-Walker’s residence and seized one firearm. Vest-Walker admitted to law enforcement he was a marijuana user. Investigation revealed between May 2020 and January 2021, Vest-Walker purchased 13 firearms, but was only in possession of one firearm. Law enforcement recovered seven firearms purchased by Vest-Walker in the possession of felons, drug users, and others who were prohibited from possessing them. One firearm was recovered following a shots-fired incident. Law enforcement determined that Vest-Walker conspired with others to violate federal firearms laws by purchasing firearms for others and falsifying ATF Form 4473, indicating that he was the actual purchaser. Vest-Walker knew he was purchasing the firearms for others and immediately following the purchases he transferred the firearms to others. Vest-Walker pleaded guilty to the charges on December 6, 2021.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa City Police Department investigated the case.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Luke Alric Forman, age 31, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced Thursday April 14, 2022, in federal court to 210 months in prison for Receipt of Child Pornography. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Forman pleaded guilty to the offense on December 16, 2021.

The Council Bluffs Police Department initiated an investigation after they received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in which ten videos of child pornography were uploaded using KIK messenger. The CyberTip was linked to Forman’s residence in Council Bluffs. A search warrant was executed at Forman’s home and a cellular phone was seized. A forensic examination was completed on the cellular phone and revealed Forman had distributed, received, and possessed images and videos of child pornography and engaged in numerous conversations about this activity using KIK messenger.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This matter was investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department, with assistance from the United State Secret Service National Computer Forensics Institute, which provided training and equipment.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Nicholas Dwayne Jones, age 42, of Des Moines, was sentenced today in federal court to 322 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Prohibited Person in Possession of Firearms.

According to evidence presented at the two and a half-day jury trial, in the Spring of 2020, investigators with the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement (MINE) Task Force began a drug investigation into Nicholas Jones and his wife, Nashia Jones. MINE investigators conducted four controlled buys of cocaine from the Jones’. Officers executed a search warrant at their residence and seized $154,000 in drug proceeds, four loaded firearms, over 1,200 rounds of live ammunition, digital scales, cutting agents, and drug notes. Jones was found guilty on all charges.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the MINE Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Mallory E. Weiser and Amy L. Jennings prosecuted the case with the assistance of Victim Witness Specialist Charlotte Kovacs.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Humberto Felipe Mancinas, age 22, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced today in federal court to 162 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Mancinas pleaded guilty to the charge on October 22, 2021.

On March 12, 2021, Mancinas was stopped by law enforcement while driving in Fremont County, Iowa. During the traffic stop, a K-9 was deployed and indicated narcotics were in the vehicle. A search located approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement then conducted a second search of a residence outside of Sidney, owned by a relative of Mancinas and where Mancinas had left just prior to the traffic stop, and located an additional seventeen pounds of methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Omaha Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Eric Romun Hill, age 46, of Des Moines, was sentenced today in federal court to 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm as a felon. He was ordered to serve a term of supervised release, to follow his prison term, of three years; pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund; and forfeit any interest in the firearms he possessed.

According to court documents, Hill unlawfully possessed a .45 caliber pistol and a stolen 12-gauge shotgun on August 30, 2020. The sentence imposed by United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner took into consideration Hill’s criminal history – which included two convictions for violent crimes and, in the current matter, the reckless discharge of firearms in proximity to others in a Des Moines residential neighborhood. Following Hill’s actions on August 30, 2020, Hill removed a GPS monitoring device he was ordered to wear as a condition of parole for a state conviction. He remained at large until he was located and arrested five months later.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Des Moines Police Department investigated the case with assistance of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Fifth Judicial District, Department of Correctional Services.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Erasmus Luis Gonzales, age 38, of Omaha, was sentenced Wednesday March 30, 2022, to 46 months in federal prison for Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Gonzales pleaded guilty to the charge on October 22, 2021.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation engaged in an undercover investigation and Gonzales communicated with an agent who purported to be a thirteen-year-old girl in the seventh grade. Gonzales arranged to meet with the underage girl in June 2021 after he agreed to bring alcohol in exchange for a sex act.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement and this case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Council Bluffs Police Department.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Jeffery Scott Holsinger, age 32, of Avoca, was sentenced today in federal court to 70 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Holsinger pleaded guilty to the charge on November 18, 2021.

On June 2, 2021, Holsinger was driving in Shelby County when he was stopped by law enforcement for not wearing a seatbelt and driving without a front license plate. During the traffic stop, law enforcement smelled the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the car and performed a probable cause search. During the search, law enforcement found a loaded 9mm handgun in a pouch on the front passenger seat that also contained pawn receipts for Holsinger. Holsinger is a prior convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA – On March 24, 2022, Bradley Earl Ewart, age 50, of Wapello, appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to two counts of failure to file federal income tax returns for the calendar years 2016 and 2018. Ewart is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2022, by United States District Court Chief Judge Stephanie M. Rose. Each count of failure to file a tax return has a maximum sentence of one year in prison; a maximum fine of $25,000; or both. Ewart is responsible for paying his tax liability in full and must pay a $25 per count special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Bradley Ewart has been the owner and operator of Louisa County Millwright, LLC since approximately 2004. Ewart acknowledged he received taxable income from this business during each of calendar years 2015 through 2018 in amounts that far exceeded the minimum amount that requires the filing of a federal income tax return. At the plea hearing, Ewart admitted he knew he was required to file federal income tax returns for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 and he willfully failed to do so. He additionally admitted he did not file federal income tax returns for the years 2004 through 2014.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA – On March 23, 2022, Darrius Decnan Redd, age 33, of Manchester, was sentenced in federal court to 45 years in prison for sex trafficking an adult victim by force, fraud, and coercion; five years for facilitation of prostitution; and 40 years for distribution of a controlled substance to a person under the age of 21. The sentences are to run concurrently (i.e., at the same time). A jury unanimously convicted Redd of those crimes in September 2021.

According to evidence presented at the four and a half-day trial and court documents submitted for sentencing, Redd used deceptive and coercive tactics as well as physical force to compel a victim to engage in sex acts in exchange for money. Redd kept all the proceeds from the victim’s sex acts. Redd trafficked the victim in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Clive, and surrounding areas in March 2020. Redd also supplied the victim with a controlled substance and posted advertisements for paid sex acts with the victim and other women on an escort website.

Redd’s sex trafficking pursuits were not limited to one victim. Evidence at trial suggested Redd trafficked or attempted to traffic multiple women. Witnesses testified that Redd targeted vulnerable and broken women whom he could traffic and he had boasted about doing so for years. To recruit women for purposes of sex trafficking, Redd, among other things, plied the women with drugs, made video recordings of the women engaged in sex acts to use as blackmail, lied to the women about his intentions, and told the women that they owed him or others money. 

At sentencing, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger ruled that, during the commission of his crimes, Redd had raped two women. She found further Redd had physically restrained those women and he had abducted them against their will. She also noted Redd had failed to express any remorse for his actions and he had lied while testifying at trial.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This investigation was conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Clive Police Department, University of Iowa Police Department, Iowa City Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Iowa Department of Corrections, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The Des Moines Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation participated in trial presentation. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy L. Jennings and Kyle J. Essley, along with Former Assistant United States Attorney Virginia Bruner, prosecuted the case with the assistance of Victim Witness Specialist Charlotte Kovacs.

Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances. Individuals who purchase sex from minors or from those who are otherwise exploited for commercial sex are also subject to prosecution for sex trafficking under federal law, if they knew or were in reckless disregard of the fact that they were under the age of 18, or that force, fraud, or coercion was used.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Jeffrey M. Carley, age 53, formerly of Treynor, was sentenced Tuesday, March 22, 2022, to five years in prison. Following his prison term, Carley will serve three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,364,163.02 in restitution to the victims. Carley pleaded guilty to Wire Fraud on October 22, 2021.

Carley was a financial investment counselor and he owned or had an ownership interest in Carley Financial Group, Prosperity Partners, and Main Street Solutions. From as early as 2013, until December of 2020, Carley encouraged his clients to move money from their traditional IRA accounts to a “self-directed” IRA. Carley then advised his clients to move their money from the “self-directed” IRA to investment opportunities Carley owned or had ownership interest in and advised clients they would receive a financial return. Carley never told his clients that he owned or had an interest in the investments he represented to them as solid investments. Carley also failed to invest the clients’ money and instead used the funds for his personal expenses.

“The defendant…has destroyed the savings of people that trusted him and there is no way to quantify the damage the defendant did to the emotional security of those he stole from. Making this crime even more egregious, it appears, although one cannot be sure, that the defendant flitted away all the money he stole for personal purposes, leaving nothing available to repay the victims,” wrote Assistant United States Attorney Richard E. Rothrock in the government’s sentencing brief. The sentencing judge noted the length of time the scheme lasted and the harm and age of the victims as some of the aggravating factors in this case she considered in determining the five-year sentence.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Tiloe Cardel Williams, age 43, of Omaha, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 36 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Williams pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2021.

On July 30, 2021, a police officer stopped Williams’ vehicle for overly dark window tint. The officer could smell marijuana and requested the assistance of a canine officer. Marijuana and a firearm were located under the cup holder of the center console. At the time of the offense, Williams was a convicted felon and drug user and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Jadelyn Marie Maher, age 39, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to six months in prison for Acquiring a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Deception and Subterfuge. Her term of imprisonment will be followed by one year of supervised release. Maher was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine. According to court documents, Maher pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2021.

Maher was employed as a registered nurse at facilities where she falsified health care records and narcotics log sheets when she checked out narcotics/opioids for patients. Maher took the Hydrocodone and Oxycodone pills for her own use. Maher’s nursing license was forfeited by the Court.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Jeremy Antonio Trujillo, age 43, of Colorado, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 192 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and 120 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The sentences will run concurrently. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Trujillo pleaded guilty to the charges on November 4, 2021.

Trujillo’s co-defendant, Kristen Leigh Jarrard, age 37, also of Colorado, was sentenced on November 2, 2021, to 156 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and 120 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The sentences will run concurrently. Her term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. Jarrard pleaded guilty to the charges on March 18, 2021.

On October 28, 2020, the couple was stopped for a traffic violation on Interstate 29 and a law enforcement dog was run around the vehicle. Following a canine alert for the odor of narcotics on the car, officers recovered a backpack containing 817 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Smith and Wesson .45 caliber revolver. Surveillance video from a motel showed Trujillo and Jarrard carrying bags from the motel to the vehicle and Trujillo carrying the backpack from the motel to the car and placing it inside. Both Jarrard and Trujillo are prior convicted felons.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case. The United States Marshals Service made the arrests. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA – On March 10, 2022, Penny Layne Witt appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to evade or defeat tax. Witt is scheduled to be sentenced June 27, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie Rose. The charge of attempting to evade or defeat tax carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; a maximum fine of $100,000; and a term of up to three years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Witt operated a tree trimming business under the names Ultimate Tree Service and Spruces Tree Service. She did not keep business records that listed work and gross receipts and did not have business or individual bank accounts. Witt conducted all business in cash and knowingly and intentionally paid all her employees in cash.

Witt admitted that she concealed records of gross income received and attempted to evade assessment of federal income tax. She also admitted that she was aware that she owed a substantial amount of federal taxes for gross income received for tax years 2016 and 2017 and that she willfully chose not to file returns for those years.

The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa– A Moline, Illinois man, Jose Antonio Tapia, age 43, was sentenced yesterday to 72 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Tapia was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and immediately pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Law enforcement identified Tapia when they responded to an altercation at a strip club in Davenport. Tapia and another male were involved and Tapia brandished a loaded firearm, racked the slide, and displayed it in a threatening manner before fleeing the club. Tapia discarded the firearm as he ran. Law enforcement retraced Tapia’s steps and located the firearm. Tapia was also in possession of marijuana and a distribution amount of cocaine base. Tapia pleaded guilty to the charge on November 15, 2021.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case.

DES MOINES, IA – On March 10, 2022, United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner sentenced Andrew Scott Scanlan, age 33, formerly of Newton, to 840 months in prison for two counts of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Offense by a Registered Sex Offender announced United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Scanlan pleaded guilty on November 4, 2021. Following completion of his prison term, Scanlan will be required to register as a sex offender and will be on supervised release for ten additional years.

According to court documents, on multiple different dates from September 2, 2020, to January 21, 2021, Scanlan persuaded and coerced Child Victim #1 to perform sex acts on Scanlan in Newton. Scanlan video-recorded these sex acts on three different dates using his cell phone. Child Victim #1 was nine years old when Scanlan’s abuse began and Scanlan knew the age of that child. At the time Scanlan committed these Production of Child Pornography offenses, Scanlan was required by the laws of the State of Iowa to register as a sex offender. Additionally, in early 2021, Scanlan took photographs depicting child pornography using his cell phone of Child Victim #2. Child Victim #2 was four years old. Investigators located the above-referenced depictions on Scanlan’s cell phone as well as additional depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct that Scanlan had obtained via the internet.

This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, the Newton Police Department, and the Jasper County Attorney’s Office. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the United States Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nationwide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children.

Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man, Antonio Deshawn Russell, age 35, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. Following his prison term, Russell was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to immediately pay a $200 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Law enforcement identified Russell in November 2020 when Iowa City Police Officers responded to a shots-fired incident. In December 2020, officers executed a search warrant at Russell’s residence, where they located a nine-millimeter Taurus handgun with an obliterated serial number, 57 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and two cell phones. The cell phones contained evidence of drug trafficking.

In February 2021, Coralville police were dispatched to a shots-fired incident and Russell was observed fleeing from the location in a vehicle at a high rate of speed. An officer stopped Russell and observed indicia of intoxication on him when he fled again at a high rate of speed. The officer pursued Russell again and observed Russell crash his vehicle into a light pole. Russell threw a loaded and stolen firearm out of the passenger window. Russell was a convicted felon and ineligible to possess firearms.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa City Police Department and the Coralville Police Department investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Rodney Raphael Fluckes, age 47, formerly of Chicago, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Following his imprisonment, Fluckes was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to immediately pay a $100 Special Assessment payable to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, Fluckes was identified by Davenport Police Department officers following a fight which broke out in a pub in downtown Davenport. Outside the pub, officers observed Fluckes in possession of a gun, which was identified as a loaded, nine-millimeter handgun that was previously reported stolen. At the time of the offense, Fluckes was aware he had been convicted of prior felony offenses, which prohibited his possession of the firearm. On November 15, 2021, Fluckes pleaded guilty to the charge.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Mario Herrera, age 31, of Davenport, was sentenced on March 4,2022, to 20 years and 10 months in federal prison for his role in a drug and racketeering conspiracy that encompassed four attempted murders and a stabbing at a local bar.

According to court documents, Herrera was sentenced after pleading guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. In April 2021, charges were announced for 15 members and associates of the Lowriders, a Davenport-based street gang. The charges reflect criminal conduct underlying various crimes, including attempted murder in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, tampering with witnesses, knowing transfer of a handgun to a juvenile, lying to the grand jury, use of persons under 18 years of age in drug operations, and a multitude of firearms charges.

In addition to Mario Herrera, United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey previously sentenced the following members or associates of the Lowrider Street Gang:

• Jacob Trujillo pleaded guilty to two counts of Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Racketeering Conspiracy, and Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

• Carmelo Reyes pleaded guilty to Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Racketeering Conspiracy, and Use and Carry a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence and was sentenced to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison.

• Adan Herrera pleaded guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and was sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in federal prison.

• Austin Nichols pleaded guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

• Antonio Herrera pleaded guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering and was sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in federal prison.

• Angel Mora pleaded guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Use of Persons Under 18 years of Age in Drug Operations and was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months in federal prison.

• Cody Herrera pleaded guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

• Tevin Lira pleaded guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in federal prison.

• Kerri Joanne Reitz pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact and was sentenced to three years in federal prison.

• Eduardo Herrera pleaded guilty to Felon in Possession of Ammunition and was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison.

• Arnoldo Herrera pleaded guilty to Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition and was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison.

• Andres Arriaga, pleaded guilty to Tampering with a Witness and False Declaration Before a Grand Jury and was sentenced to time served.

Jose Miguel Pena also pleaded guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Pena is scheduled to be sentenced May 17, 2022. Five other Lowrider members were charged in the Scott County District Court with violations of Iowa law, including intimidation with a dangerous weapon, willful injury, criminal gang participation, and drug-related offenses. Previously, two other Lowrider members or associates were charged and sentenced for federal firearms violations.

• Zacharia Allen Clark was sentenced to 16 years and 8 months of imprisonment after pleading guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition related to an incident in which he shot at another person in the parking lot of a Davenport nightclub.

• Alejandro Francisco Herrera, Jr. was sentenced to one year and 4 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.

As a result of this investigation, twenty-two Lowrider Street Gang members or associates have been charged with crimes.

According to court documents, the Lowrider Street Gang was a local gang that operated mostly out of Davenport. The purpose of the gang was to distribute drugs, obtain money, and maintain respect in the neighborhood. Lowriders were expected to retaliate against their perceived rivals, such as the Latin King and West Side Mafia street gangs. The Lowrider Street Gang was organized by tiers of memberships; the highest rank was referred to as the “Shot-Callers,” then the middle-level ranking was “Older Homies.” The lowest level were the “Shortys,” who typically consisted of younger members, including juveniles, who had not yet put in “work” to gain a higher ranking. Lowrider members define work as dealing drugs, conducting robberies and shootings, or otherwise assaulting rivals. The Lowriders conducted their affairs through a series of rules and policies and enforced discipline through a system of violations in which members physically beat those members of the gang who violated the rules. The Lowriders also initiated new members through the practice of causing them to endure physical assaults conducted by members of the gang at various gang-related gatherings.

“I am thankful and proud of the courageous work our officers do in the City of Davenport every day,” stated Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski. “The amount of work by our investigators that went in to putting together this very complex case has been noticeably impactful in Davenport and in the Quad Cities. The unique and critical partnership we have with our prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office and our Quad Cities area law enforcement agencies, combined with the pure determination and commitment by everyone involved with this case, has made Davenport a safer place.”

“Whether by individual defendants, or by criminal street gang, violent crime has no place in communities like Davenport,” stated United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. “The crimes committed in furtherance of this criminal enterprise, that included attempted murder, drug trafficking, transferred firearms to juveniles, possession and use of firearms, were extremely dangerous. We are grateful to the Davenport Police Department, and our state and federal partners, for the hard work to successfully prosecute these members of the Lowriders street gang.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal, of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Bettendorf Police Department, Moline Police Department, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man, David James Baber, age 53, was sentenced on March 2, 2022, to 36 months in federal prison for Felon in Possession of Firearms. Baber was also sentenced to 24 months for a supervised release revocation, to be served consecutively for a total sentence of 60 months in prison. Baber was ordered to serve three years of supervised to follow his imprisonment and pay a $100 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, this investigation began when law enforcement attempted to stop a moped driving erratically. Officers located the moped, without a driver, in a cornfield. A grey backpack was attached to the moped and contained guns and magazines. The moped had previously been reported stolen. Officers located Baber in the same cornfield later that morning. At the time of the offense, Baber was aware he had prior felony convictions, which prohibited his possession of firearms.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Department of Natural Resources investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Clinton man, Eric Lee Coleman, age 47, was sentenced on March 2, 2022, to 262 months in federal prison for two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine. Coleman was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and immediately pay a $200 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, Coleman sold various amounts of methamphetamine to a confidential source on two occasions in an undercover operation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. On September 20, 2021, Coleman pleaded guilty to the charges.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man, Daniel Joseph Fritzjunker, age 35, was sentenced on March 2, 2022, to 144 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Fritzjunker was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and immediately pay a $100 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, the investigation into Fritzjunker began when the Mount Pleasant Police Department received information of his involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Henry County area. During the investigation, Fritzjunker was repeatedly identified as a major source for methamphetamine, of which he admitted in later interviews with law enforcement. On September 17, 2021, Fritzjunker pleaded guilty to the charge.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Burlington Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Myron Lee Brandon, age 43, of Pacific Junction, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 405 months in prison for two counts of Kidnapping and two counts of Transportation of a Minor. His term of imprisonment will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. According to court documents, a jury found Brandon guilty of the charges on October 6, 2021.

According to evidence presented at trial, on June 21, 2003, Brandon was in downtown Omaha and offered two girls, one fourteen and one fifteen years old, a ride. Brandon drove them to a remote location near Pacific Junction. Brandon then brandished a knife, tied the two girls with a rope, and sexually assaulted them. Brandon then burned the victims on their breasts with a cigarette. The girls escaped from Brandon when he retrieved a can of gasoline from the bed of the truck. The victims ran to Interstate 29 and were picked up by two individuals who assisted the girls. The initial police investigation did not locate a suspect, but the victims’ sexual assault kits were stored in evidence.

In 2015, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office implemented the Sexual Assault Initiative, a program that submitted unsolved sexual assault kits to a laboratory to identify any DNA evidence. Following DNA testing, Brandon was identified as a suspect in this matter.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Omaha Police Department, with assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Attorney General’s Office, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Marshall Eugene Popp, age 31, formerly of Moline, was sentenced on February 28, 2022, to 36 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Following his imprisonment, Popp was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. Popp was also assessed a $100 Special Assessment fee payable to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, the investigation on Popp began when the Davenport Police Department received information that resulted in a search warrant being obtained for Popp’s Davenport residence. Officers located a loaded .22 caliber pistol during the search incident to arrest, which Popp subsequently admitted he knowingly and intentionally possessed. At the time Popp possessed the firearm, he was aware he had been convicted of a prior felony offense. On November 1, 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department investigated and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man, Tony Williams, age 33, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 15 years in prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine. Williams was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term. He was also ordered to pay a $300 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, an undercover officer purchased methamphetamine from Williams on three occasions. On one of the occasions, the officer observed a pistol in Williams’ waistband. When law enforcement attempted to perform a traffic stop on Williams, he fled and led officers on a vehicle and foot pursuit. Williams was eventually taken into custody and a loaded pistol was located in the area where Williams had led officers on the chase.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Justin Treanton, age 37, of Bettendorf, was sentenced on February 28, 2022, to 30 years in federal prison for the production of child pornography and 20 years in prison for the possession of child pornography, with the sentences run consecutively for a total of 50 years in federal prison. After serving his prison sentence, Treanton will be under federal supervised release for the rest of his life and required to register as a sex offender.

This case came to light after Treanton sent child pornography, which he had produced through the hands-on sex abuse of a four-year-old child, to an undercover police officer in New Zealand. The child pornography was traced back to Treanton in Bettendorf. When law enforcement executed a search warrant on Treanton’s cell phone they located other images of child pornography portraying infants and toddlers and violence.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Bettendorf Police Department, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Justin Christopher Reed, age 33, of Davenport, was sentenced on February 17, 2022, to 30 months in prison for Stealing Firearms from a Licensed Dealer. Reed was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay restitution in the amount of $2,450. Reed was also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, Bettendorf Police were called to R&R Sports by the owner in response to a motion alarm. Damage was observed to the business and four guns were missing. The investigation led to the arrest of Reed and all four guns were recovered. On October 8, 2021, Reed pleaded guilty to the charge.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Bettendorf Police Department, Davenport Police Department and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Cordell Cole, age 36, of Minnesota, was sentenced today to 280 months (over 23 years) in federal prison for his leadership of a drug conspiracy responsible for bringing ice methamphetamine and cocaine into the Southern District of Iowa.

According to court documents, Cole was found responsible for recruiting and managing members of a drug conspiracy bringing cocaine and ice methamphetamine into the area. Cole was also found to have possessed a firearm related to his drug trafficking activities. Cole has four prior felony drug convictions and was on supervision for a felony drug offense at the time that he committed this offense.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Davenport Police Department, Clinton Police Department, and the Anoka Hennepin (MN) Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Aaron James Wadden, age 24, of Davenport, was sentenced yesterday to 140 months – approximately 11.5 years – in federal prison for gun and drug charges.

According to court documents, Wadden was sentenced to prison for trafficking methamphetamine and possessing a firearm related to his drug trafficking. This case arose after law enforcement received a 911 call related to a reckless driver in the area of Highway 61. Wadden was observed backing onto the highway into oncoming traffic, driving in the ditch, running multiple stop signs, and driving in the wrong lane of traffic. Wadden ultimately turned down a dead-end street, failed to slow down, crashed into a concrete barrier, and went airborne. Wadden then fled on foot. Officers located Wadden and found a loaded rifle and methamphetamine in the vehicle. Wadden was under supervision for a State of Iowa felony drug offense at the time of this offense.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Clarence Washington, age 36, of Chicago, was sentenced on Wednesday to 440 months (approximately 36.5 years) in federal prison on several charges related to firearm and drug offenses. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, Washington was sentenced for drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms charges. Washington was originally charged in federal court in 2018. In February of 2019, while pending trial, Washington cut off his GPS ankle monitor and absconded from federal supervision. Washington was subsequently arrested on February 18, 2021, after attempting to elude and shooting at police officers in the parking lot of the Walgreens at Kimberly Road and Division Street in Davenport. Washington was then federally indicted on additional charges relating to his failure to appear for trial, and his continued trafficking of drugs and unlawful possession of firearms, to include the discharge of a firearm at police related to his drug trafficking activities. At sentencing, the Court also considered evidence that, prior to the shooting, Washington had threatened another individual while displaying a firearm and stated he was going to shoot it out with the police.

Davenport Police Department Assistant Chief Jeff Bladel stated, “We are thankful our officers were not seriously injured during the arrest of Washington when he opened fire as they attempted to take him into custody. Additionally, we are very proud of the bravery and hard work that our officers do each and every day to keep our community safe. We appreciate the continued partnerships we have with our prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office and our area law enforcement agencies. With these partnerships, we will continue to collaborate to keep violent offenders off the streets in our communities.”

Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane added, “This case sends a clear message that if you wish to do violence in our community, it will not be tolerated.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Davenport Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and the Scott County Attorney’s Office. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Sarah Diane Adams, age 36, of Glenwood, was sentenced February 14, 2022, to 78 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Her term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Adams pleaded guilty to the methamphetamine offense in January of 2021. Her co-defendant, Joshua Matthew St. John was sentenced to 132 months in prison on December 17, 2021.

An initial law enforcement investigation revealed Adams lived with St. John in April of 2020 at a residence in Glenwood and they sold methamphetamine. On April 2, 2020, a confidential source made arrangements with St. John to purchase a quarter pound of methamphetamine. The confidential source traveled to St. John’s residence in Glenwood and was then directed by Adams to a stash house location. The quarter pound requested by the confidential source was removed from a larger bag containing methamphetamine and delivered by Adams to the confidential source. On April 24, 2020, the confidential source met St. John in Glenwood to purchase additional methamphetamine and reported seeing a large quantity of methamphetamine inside Adam’s residence. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Adam’s residence and recovered approximately a half pound of methamphetamine and distribution paraphernalia.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Council Bluffs Police Department, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Mills County Sheriff’s Office, and Glenwood Police Department investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Jason Henry Miller, age 45, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced February 14, 2022, to 30 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Miller pleaded guilty to the charge on September 2, 2021.

In June of 2020, a while investigating a drug case, law enforcement officers located a firearm that had been modified to be an automatic weapon. Officers were able to obtain information that Miller was the one who modified the weapon. The weapon had been fired on his property while in his possession. At the time of the offense, Miller was a drug user and had convictions for domestic violence and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Omaha Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Zachery McCuen, age 29, of Carter Lake, was sentenced on February 14, 2022, to 96 months in prison for Accessing Child Pornography. McCuen’s term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, McCuen pleaded guilty to the charge on October 1, 2021.

On January 18, 2019, Homeland Security received information that child pornography was being traded in a chat group on Kik messenger. One of the Kik users was identified as McCuen and in October 2018, he was communicating with, exchanging, and receiving images and videos of child pornography with another Kik user from California.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations investigated and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Brian Allen Christensen, age 34, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced on February 14, 2022, to 120 months in prison for Receipt of Child Pornography. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents Christensen was found guilty by a trial jury on September 21, 2021.

In 2018 the Nebraska State Patrol conducted an undercover operation and identified a computer in Council Bluffs that shared images and videos using the Peer-2-Peer program. Iowa Internet Crimes against Children took over the investigation and found evidence Christensen had regularly searched for child pornography as early as February 2013.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Internet Crimes Against Children section investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Amanda Marie Belnap, age 34, of Atlantic, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Her term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents Belnap pleaded guilty to the charge on September 2, 2021.

Between July 2020 and May 2021, Belnap obtained approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine at her home in Atlantic from a source in California through the mail. On May 6, 2021, in an interview with law enforcement, Belnap admitted she had received and distributed the methamphetamine. On May 8, 2021, the United States Postal Service intercepted another package mailed to Belnap from her source in California that contained approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine. As part of the conspiracy, Belnap distributed the methamphetamine to people in locations across the Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa and would send money back to the source in California.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Muscatine County Drug Task Force, Johnson County Drug Task Force, Tri County Drug Task Force, and the Iowa State Patrol investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Chad Michael Schaefer, age 46, of Omaha, was sentenced December 8, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 57 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Schaefer pleaded guilty to the charge on September 2, 2021.

On October 9, 2020, a police officer reported his vehicle was burglarized and a Smith and Wesson rifle was stolen. A neighbor also reported his vehicle was burglarized and a wallet was taken. A credit card from the stolen wallet was used in the early morning hours shortly after the burglary in Omaha. Detectives obtained surveillance footage from the stores where the stolen credit card was used and were able to identify Schaefer as the suspect. Schaefer also had messages on his cellular phone linking him to the stolen rifle. At the time of the offense, Schaefer was a convicted felon and drug user.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office and Council Bluffs Police Department investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Diamond Marie Logan, age 24, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced on February 8, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 120 months in prison for Transportation of a Minor. Logan’s term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Logan pleaded guilty to the charge on September 7, 2021.

On November 18, 2020, two teenage girls ran away from a residential group home located in Omaha. They first went to a home in Omaha but were later picked up by Logan who then drove the girls to her house in Council Bluffs. On December 2, 2020, the FBI located one of the teenagers in Omaha who then assisted in locating the second teenager. The two girls disclosed that Logan posted them on an online website for purposes of prostitution. The FBI searched through the online website and found that between October and December 2020, Logan posted numerous ads for prostituting the girls. Logan arranged prostitution at her home in Council Bluffs and also drove one of the girls from Council Bluffs to Omaha for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, Omaha Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Mitchell Wayne Bochnicek, age 43, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced December 8, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 120 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Bochnicek pleaded guilty to the offense on September 2, 2021.

On January 21, 2021, Bochnicek was stopped by law enforcement regarding his vehicle bearing an incorrect registration plate. After attempting to identify Bochnicek, the officer performed a pat down and located a scale in his pocket. The officer then located methamphetamine, baggies, a scale, a loaded firearm, and $1,392 inside the vehicle. Bochnicek admitted the methamphetamine and the paraphernalia belonged to him.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA -- U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has released the Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

Rooted in the foundational pillars and priorities of the interagency National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which President Biden released on Dec. 3, 2021, the Justice Department's National Strategy is expansive in scope. It aims to enhance the department's capacity to prevent human trafficking; to prosecute human trafficking cases; and to support and protect human trafficking victims and survivors.

“Human trafficking is an insidious crime,” said Attorney General Garland. “Traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm. The Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking will bring the full force of the Department to this fight.”

According to the Human Trafficking Institute’s Annual Report for 2019, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa (USAO-SDIA) was sixth in the nation for number of new human trafficking defendants, equal with the number of defendants in United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of Columbia and the Eastern District of Virginia. Since 2019, the USAO-SDIA has successfully prosecuted the following human trafficking defendants.

• Kendall Andrew Streb, of Hills, was sentenced to 268 months in prison following a jury trial where he was convicted of three counts of child sex trafficking, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine to children, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, unlawful user in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

• Isaiah Patterson, of Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 144 months in prison for sex trafficking a 15-year-old victim following a plea of guilty.

• Tommy Tate Collins, of Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 201 months in prison following a guilty plea to one count of child sex trafficking.

• Albert Kelly Price, of Iowa City and North Liberty, was sentenced to 348 months in prison for his guilty plea to two counts of child sex trafficking and admissions he sex trafficked three minors between the ages of 14 and 16.

• Arrion Marcus West, Jr., of Iowa City, was sentenced to 210 months in prison following a guilty plea where he admitted to sex trafficking two minor children, ages 15 and 17.

• Marlin Santana Thomas, of Des Moines, was sentenced to life imprisonment for sex trafficking six adult victims and one 14-year-old victim. Thomas pleaded guilty to the offenses. At the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented that Thomas had raped, attempted to sex traffic, and/or physically assaulted 11 additional women.

• Hershel James Ratliff, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced to 360 months in prison following a jury trial where he was convicted of four counts of sex trafficking minors, two counts of sex trafficking, and distribution of Xanax to a minor.

• Earl Jonell Jackson, of Omaha, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for transportation and sex trafficking of a child following his plea of guilty.

• Darrius Decnan Redd, of Manchester, was convicted by a federal jury of sex trafficking an adult victim, facilitation of prostitution, and distribution of a controlled substance to a person under the age of 21. Redd is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2022.

Local law enforcement partners, as well as state and federal agencies have had a vital role in the investigation of federal human trafficking cases in the Southern District of Iowa. “We are thankful for our partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office and their commitment to investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases,” stated Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston. “Partnerships between local, state and federal agencies are critical in the fight against these crimes.” Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert added, “Although we have collectively achieved significant success, it goes without saying that we will continue to invest our time and resources to combat human trafficking. The nature of these crimes is horrific, and we will continue to leverage our partnerships at the local, state and federal level to provide for the needs of the victims and bring accountability to the perpetrators. Our pursuit is on-going.”

The USAO-SDIA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorneys who prosecute human trafficking cases and a team of victim specialists to assist victims through the criminal justice process, as well as to provide victims of human trafficking with emotional support. USAO-SDIA victim specialists work closely with victim specialists with the FBI, as well as local organizations such as, but not limited to, the Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Center, University of Iowa Rape Victim Advocacy Program, Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center, Crisis Intervention Services, Family Resources, Inc., and Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program.

FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated, “Human trafficking is modern day slavery. Its victims lead lives of misery. The FBI is on the front lines of the fight against this heinous crime. The DOJ National Strategy supports our continuing efforts to work closely with our local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement partners to investigate all forms of human trafficking, regardless of a victim’s age or nationality, and bring those perpetrators who exploit victims to justice. The FBI never loses focus on the victims of human trafficking, and our Victim Services Division works tirelessly to assist survivors in navigating the aftermath of the crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.”

Among other things, the Justice Department’s multi-year strategy to combat all forms of human trafficking will:

• Strengthen engagement, coordination and joint efforts to combat human trafficking by prosecutors in all 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and by federal law enforcement agents nationwide.

• Establish federally-funded, locally-led anti-human trafficking task forces that support sustained state law enforcement leadership and comprehensive victim assistance.

• Step up departmental efforts to end forced labor by increasing attention, resources and coordination in labor trafficking investigations and prosecutions.

• Enhance initiatives to reduce vulnerability of American Indians and Alaska Natives to violent crime, including human trafficking, and to locate missing children.

• Develop and implement new victim screening protocols to identify potential human trafficking victims during law enforcement operations and encourage victims to share important information.

• Increase capacity to provide victim-centered assistance to trafficking survivors, including by supporting efforts to deliver financial restoration to victims.

• Expand dissemination of federal human trafficking training, guidance and expertise.

• Advance innovative demand-reduction strategies.

The department’s strategy will be implemented under the direction of the National Human Trafficking Coordinator designated by the Attorney General in accordance with the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017.

If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or Text 233733.

To read the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking click here.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A West Des Moines man was sentenced today to 97 months in federal prison for multiple federal offenses, including money laundering and making false claims for tax refunds. The court also ordered restitution in the amount of $404,440.85 and a special assessment of $925.

Jeffrey Allan Kock, age 50, was convicted by a jury on September 29, 2021, of a total of 13 counts, including five counts of the willful failure to file individual income tax returns; two counts of making false claims against the United States; wire fraud; mail fraud; three counts of money laundering; and concealment of an asset.

The trial evidence showed that Kock made false claims for tax refunds on two IRS Forms 1041, which is a form used by estates and trusts. Kock fraudulently requested refunds in the amounts of $20,671 and $10,921,192, which were initially paid by the Internal Revenue Service. Kock used some of the proceeds to purchase three luxury automobiles, which were eventually recovered by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to federal seizure warrants. The trial evidence also showed that Kock attempted to purchase a multi-million dollar residence, but that the transaction was not successful. Shortly after the second fraudulent refund was paid, the Internal Revenue Service recovered most of the fraudulently-obtained proceeds.

The trial evidence also showed that Kock worked in the local restaurant and bar industry during the years 2014-2018, earning sufficient income to require the filing of individual income tax returns. However, IRS records showed that Kock did not file individual returns for these years.

“Complying with the nation’s tax laws is a responsibility we all share. Not only did Mr. Kock consistently fail to file his federal tax returns, but he stole from taxpayers by submitting false claims for tax refunds he was not entitled to. Mr. Kock then tried to live a lavish lifestyle by purchasing luxury vehicles and a house with stolen taxpayer funds,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation. “This sentence shows the dedication that IRS Criminal Investigation and the Department of Justice have to recovering ill-gotten assets and putting criminals behind bars for such acts.”

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

DES MOINES, IOWA – On Thursday, February 3, 2022, Tyler Luke Critchlow, age 28, of Des Moines, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 144 months in prison for distributing a controlled substance which resulted in death. Critchlow previously pleaded guilty to the charge.

In the early morning hours of May 3, 2020, members of the Des Moines Police Department were dispatched to a Motel 6 in Des Moines for a suspected drug overdose. Medics attempted life-saving techniques, but the victim was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators with the Des Moines Police Department Vice-Narcotics Unit reviewed numerous phone records, including text messages and Facebook messages, reviewed surveillance, and made contact with the victim’s friends and family, which led officers to Critchlow. Investigators were able to determine that Critchlow distributed a heroin and fentanyl mixture to the victim the evening prior, on May 2, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA – On February 3, 2022, Kevin Jeffrey Stiller, age 58, of Ankeny, appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to two counts of failure to file tax returns for the calendar years 2015 and 2017. Stiller is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7, 2022, by United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner. Each count of failure to file a tax return has a maximum sentence of one year in prison; a maximum fine of $25,000; or both. Stiller is responsible for paying his tax liability in full and must pay a $25 per count special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Kevin Stiller is the owner and operator of Spruce Hill Tree Service and he received taxable income from this business. At the plea hearing, Stiller admitted he knew he was required to file federal income tax returns for the years 2015 and 2017 and he willfully failed to do so. He additionally admitted he willfully failed to file federal income tax returns for the years 2008 – 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, IA – Tristan Davis, of Burlington, was sentenced on January 28, 2022, to over 23 years in prison for his involvement in a drug conspiracy dating back to 2001. He is the last of eight defendants to be sentenced after they were charged in November 2019. Davis, age 36, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 280 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system.

Davis was previously found guilty, along with Kendrick Page and Breon Armstrong, of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, which included ice methamphetamine and cocaine base (crack cocaine), after a jury trial in July 2021. At sentencing, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey found Davis possessed a firearm related to his drug trafficking activities and maintained a house in Burlington to store, manufacture and distribute controlled substances. At sentencing, Chief Judge Jarvey described the conspiracy as “a scourge upon Burlington and eastern Iowa.” He went on to say the conspiracy was responsible for “huge quantities of methamphetamine and other controlled substances over a very long period of time.”

Davis was one of eight individuals from Burlington who were charged federally in November 2019, after the execution of numerous federal search warrants in Burlington, and elsewhere.

Others charged, and sentenced, as a part of this drug conspiracy include:

• Kendrick Ramon Page, sentenced to 28 years and 4 months of imprisonment
• Breon Raquon Armstrong, sentenced to 17 ½ years of imprisonment
• Alphonso Edmond, sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment
• Lavelle Harris, sentenced to 21 years and 8 months of imprisonment
• Lamar Harris, sentenced to 17 ½ years of imprisonment
• Frederrick Dewayne Reed, sentenced to 13 years and 4 months imprisonment
• Michael Rees, sentenced to 12 years and 7 months of imprisonment

These charges stem from an investigation conducted by numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including: the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce; Burlington Police Department; Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation; West Central Illinois Taskforce; Quincy, Illinois, Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Henry County Sheriff’s Office; Mt. Pleasant Police Department; West Burlington Police Department; Keokuk Police Department; Ft. Madison Police Department; Lee County Sheriff’s Office; Iowa City Police Department; Johnson County Sheriff’s Office; North Liberty Police Department; Coralville Police Department; Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office; Louisa County Sheriff’s Office; Washington County Sheriff’s Office; Bettendorf Police Department; Illinois State Police; Monmouth, Illinois, Police Department; Macomb, Illinois, Police Department; Galesburg, Illinois, Police Department; Adams County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office; and Fulton County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office.

The United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Iowa has prioritized the prosecution of those responsible for drug and violent offenses in Southeast Iowa, to include the Burlington area. “The Department of Justice is committed to continue to collaborate with our state and local partners to address violent crime that threatens safety in communities like Burlington. This investigation, and others like it, demonstrates the continued resolve of our federal, state and local law enforcement officers to hold accountable those who engage in drug trafficking and the act of violence that go with it,” stated United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal.

Most recently, in November 2021, eight men were federally charged with participating in a methamphetamine conspiracy after several federal search warrants were executed at Burlington residences. Those charged in November 2021 include: Clyde Stewart, Jr.; Rudolph Allen; Kendric Childs; Brian Davis, Jr.; Demetrius Goudy; Gregory Johnson; Marcus Johnson; and one other individual who remains at large. The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Since 2019, twenty-two individuals from Burlington have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in trafficking methamphetamine in Southeast Iowa.

Others from Burlington who have been recently federally prosecuted include:

John Patrick Auwaerter, sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment
Case Number 3:18-cr-101
Michael Lee Davis, sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment
Case Number 3:18-cr-102
Rachel Marie Horn, sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-6
Gerald Victor Terry, sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-19
Pamela Sue Hester, sentenced to 10 years and 10 months of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-41
Michael Antonio Davison, sentenced to 26 years and 8 months of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-43
Norris Davison, sentenced to 15 years and 8 months of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-43
Wilbert James Bowers, sentenced to 12 years and 8 months of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-43
Justin Harold Love, sentenced to 10 years and 10 months of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-43
Anthony Collins, sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-46
Charles Lester Warner, sentenced to 12 years and 7 months of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-87
Lloyd Davenport, sentenced to 21 years and 10 months of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-91
Allen Julian Fields, Jr., sentenced to 10 years and 1 month of imprisonment
Case Number 3:19-cr-117
Terry Lee Douglas III, sentenced to 16 years and 8 months of imprisonment
Case Number 3:20-cr-42

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A former Fairfield man, Auston Jacobus Hummell, age 23, was sentenced on January 26, 2022, to 190 months in prison for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. Following his prison term, Hummell was ordered to serve ten years of supervised release as well as pay $3,000 to each of his eleven victims – for a total of $33,000. Hummell was also ordered to pay a $100 Special Assessment fee.

According to court documents, the investigation into Hummell began when the Mount Pleasant Police Department received a CyberTip from the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The CyberTip indicated files containing child pornography were uploaded from specific IP addresses and those IP addresses traced back to Hummell. After liaising with Kahoka Police Department in Kahoka, Missouri, a search warrant was issued for Hummell’s known residence and numerous electronic devices were seized. The devices contained over 120,000 images and videos containing child pornography. On June 21, 2021, Hummell pleaded guilty to the charge.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Kahoka Police Department, and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case.

This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.

DES MOINES, Iowa – On January 13, 2022, Kenny Eugene Smart, also known as “Solo”, age 48, of Des Moines, was sentenced to 414 months in prison for firearms charges announced United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal.

After a three-day jury trial, Smart was convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Smart was found in possession of that gun during the execution of metro-wide search warrants in November 2020. Smart was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior convictions for an Iowa felony drug crime and a federal felony gun crime, for which he spent more than 15 years in prison. Smart had just been released from prison in June 2020 and was on federal supervised release when he was found with a gun in November 2020. Smart qualified under the United States Sentencing Guidelines as an Armed Career Criminal and, due to the crimes for which he was convicted, faced a mandatory 20-year sentence.

At sentencing, a victim testified that she had been raped by Smart. The government presented evidence that Smart raped another victim during the six months he had been out of prison. In imposing sentence, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger characterized Smart’s gun possession as aggravating because he possessed guns to intimidate others and coerce at least one of his rape victims. She also considered Smart’s conduct after he was federally indicted, which included an attempt to have another person take responsibility for the gun and he threatened the family member of a trial witness. Smart received a 360-month sentence for his gun crimes, to be served consecutively to a 54-month sentence for revocation of his federal supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Des Moines Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa Department Public Safety, and multiple other state and federal agencies.

DES MOINES, Iowa – On January 21, 2022, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Darreon Earl Wright, age 25, of Des Moines, to 183 months in prison for conspiracy to interfere with commerce through robbery; interference and attempted interference with commerce through robbery; and possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Wright was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the two-day federal trial held in September 2021, shortly before 9:00 p.m. on February 19, 2020, Wright and his co-conspirator lured the victim to an apartment complex in Des Moines under the false promise of selling the victim marijuana. Upon the victim’s arrival at the apartment complex, Wright’s co-conspirator led the victim to an enclosed stairwell within the apartment complex where Wright was waiting with a loaded gun to ambush and rob the victim of the $6,900 in cash he brought to purchase the marijuana. When the victim entered the enclosed stairwell, Wright’s co-conspirator grabbed the victim, and Wright shot the victim two times—once in the arm, and once in the chest. Wright fled the shooting scene with his pistol. The victim survived.

This investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Section. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Paul A. White, age 52, a former federal agent with the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Bureau in Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in the District Court of Nebraska to one year of probation and a $5,000 fine by United States District Court Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. White previously pleaded to a United States Attorney’s Information charging a violation of Title 31, United States Code, Sections 5324(a)(3) and 5324(d), Structuring Financial Transactions to Evade Reporting Requirement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, based on the recusal of the District of Nebraska United States Attorney’s Office.

According to court documents, from October 29, 2018, to February 26, 2019, White deposited a total of $99,900 in two banks. White structured the deposits to evade the requirement that banks report cash transactions in excess of $10,000.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, IA – On January 12, 2022, a Burlington man was sentenced to prison for his involvement in a drug conspiracy dating back to 2001. Alphonso Edmond, Jr., age 43, was sentenced to 180 months in prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system. United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa Richard D. Westphal made the announcement.

Edmond was among eight individuals from Burlington who were charged federally in November 2019, after the execution of numerous federal search warrants in Burlington, and elsewhere. Edmond was found to have been involved in a conspiracy to distribute ice methamphetamine and cocaine base (a.k.a. crack cocaine). Edmond was also found to have carried a firearm related to his drug trafficking activities.

Others charged as a part of this case include Kendrick Ramon Page, who was found guilty by a jury and was sentenced to 340 months of imprisonment; Breon Raquon Armstrong, who was found guilty by a jury and was sentenced to 210 months of imprisonment; Tristan Kareem Davis, who was found guilty by jury and is awaiting sentencing; Lavelle Harris, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 262 months of imprisonment; Lamar Harris, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 210 months of imprisonment; Frederrick Dewayne Reed, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 160 months imprisonment; and Michael Rees, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 151 months of imprisonment. Other individuals associated with this drug trafficking organization have also been federally charged in the Southern District of Iowa, the Central District of Illinois, and the Northern District of Texas.

These charges stem from an investigation conducted by numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including: the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce; Burlington Police Department; Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation; West Central llinois Taskforce; Quincy, Illinois Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Henry County Sheriff’s Office; Mt. Pleasant Police Department; West Burlington Police Department; Keokuk Police Department; Ft. Madison Police Department; Lee County Sheriff’s Office; Iowa City Police Department; Johnson County Sheriff’s Office; North Liberty Police Department; Coralville Police Department; Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office; Louisa County Sheriff’s Office; Washington County Sheriff’s Office; Bettendorf Police Department; Illinois State Police; Monmouth, Illinois, Police Department; Macomb, Illinois Police Department; Galesburg, Illinois Police Department; Adams County, Illinois Sheriff’s Office; and Fulton County, Illinois Sheriff’s Office.

This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Princeton, Iowa woman, Chelsea Lynn Gless, was sentenced on January 7, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 36 months in prison for Mail Fraud. Gless was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Gless was also ordered to pay over $2.9 million in restitution to victims.

Gless, age 32, was the manager and part-owner of Royal Metals Group, a business that purported to buy and sell precious metals for customers. Over a period of nearly four years, Gless made false representations to clients and instead of delivering precious metals and paying clients for precious metals, Gless misappropriated clients’ funds and precious metals. Gless used the funds to pay personal expenses and other Royal Metals Group clients who were owned money. Gless was charged in federal court on November 18, 2020, with Mail Fraud, Money Laundering, and Wire Fraud. On August 20, 2021, she pleaded guilty to a scheme to defraud and one count of Mail Fraud.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. “Chelsea Gless chose fraud over business failure and misappropriated millions of dollars from her customers,” said Westphal. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners, this prosecution sends a clear message to those like Gless that there are consequences for using lies and deception as a business model.”

The FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated this case with assistance from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Davenport Police Department, and Bettendorf Police Department. FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated, “Chelsea Gless developed a scheme to defraud dozens of precious metals investors of millions of dollars. In some cases, the victims of this scheme lost their entire retirement savings. The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to apprehend subjects like Chelsea Gless whose crimes of fraud can have devastating financial consequences for their victims.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to lend its financial investigation expertise to our law enforcement partners to follow money trails that lead to criminals defrauding the public,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge, Tyler Hatcher, St. Louis Field Office. “It will always be a top priority to uncover and stop schemes that steal the hard-earned money of trusting investors and bring those who devise them to justice.”