Southern District of Iowa

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Paul A. White, age 52, a former federal agent with the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Bureau in Omaha, Nebraska, pleaded guilty on September 14, 2021, in the District Court of Nebraska 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 is being 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.

White is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2021 and faces a sentence of up to five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney, Richard D. Westphal, of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

DES MOINES –On September 10, 2021, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Ceeron Tearrence Williams, age 29, formerly of Des Moines, to 120 months in prison for felon in possession of ammunition, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Williams was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term. Ten years in prison is the maximum term allowed by law for this conviction.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the three-day federal trial held in May, shortly after 4 a.m. on January 21, 2018, Williams fired nine gunshots from a pistol while he and a group of individuals were standing near the storefront of a Des Moines Kum & Go store. Williams struck his intended victim with seven of his gunshots, including in the abdomen and hips. Williams fled the shooting scene with his pistol. The victim survived.

Williams was indicted in federal court in February 2021 for possessing ammunition on the date of the shooting, having been previously convicted of a felony. The federal indictment followed a prosecution by the Polk County Attorney’s Office where Williams was charged with Attempted Murder, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent, and related state charges. In September 2020, a Polk County jury acquitted Williams of Attempted Murder but convicted him of several less severe charges.

Williams has an undischarged term to serve on the state convictions. The federal sentence was ordered to run consecutive—that is one after the other—to Williams’ undischarged state term of prison. There is no parole in the federal criminal justice system.

“We applaud the work of our local partners at the Polk Count Attorney’s Office in pursuing justice for the victim in this case. Our office will continue to invest federal resources when necessary to ensure violent criminals face sufficient punishment for their crimes and to protect the community. Persons who commit brazen gun violence in our community should know that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will pursue them,” said Acting United States Attorney Westphal.

The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of Project Safe Neighborhood, 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.

Federal Charges Brought Following Probationary Sentence in Polk County Court

DES MOINES, IA – Yesterday a federal jury convicted Darreon Earl Wright, age 25, of Des Moines, 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. Wright faces a sentence of up to 20 years on each of the robbery charges and a mandatory minimum term of consecutive imprisonment of 10 years, and up to life, on the firearm count. Wright was ordered to remain detained pending his sentencing in federal court.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the two-day trial, 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; however, Wright and his co-conspirator did not intend to sell the victim marijuana and, instead, planned to rob him. 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.

Wright was indicted in federal court in November 2020. The federal indictment followed a prosecution by the Polk County Attorney’s Office where Wright entered an Alford plea in Polk County District Court to Willful Injury, a Class D Felony. In September 2020, a Polk County judge sentenced Wright to a deferred judgment and three years’ probation.

Acting 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’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 – A Council Bluffs man, Andrew J. Fischer, age 55, was sentenced on September 10, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to five months in prison for False Statements in Connection with Federal Crop Insurance. His term of imprisonment is to be followed by five years of supervised release. Fischer was ordered to pay $399,725 in restitution.

Fischer obtained crop insurance for the crop years 2012, 2014, and 2017 through the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency’s Federal Crop Insurance Program. Fisher then submitted fraudulent insurance claims which resulted in indemnity payments of approximately $399,725 to which he was not entitled. According to court documents, Fischer pleaded guilty to False Statements in Connection with Federal Crop Insurance in May of 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Risk Management Agency Special Investigations investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, IA- On Monday, August 23, 2021, Florence Rosale Julio, age 39, of Brunswick, Georgia, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 46 months in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a scheme to obtain federal tax refunds by fraud using the identification information of dozens of University of Iowa employees announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal.  Julio was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Julio opened bank accounts in Georgia under a fictitious business name and used them to launder hundreds of money orders purchased with the proceeds of the fraudulently obtained tax refunds. More than $450,000 in tax refunds using University of Iowa employees’ names were obtained fraudulently through the overall scheme and more than $1,400,000 in fraudulently obtained funds passed through the fictitious business accounts during early to mid-2015. In April of 2015, Julio had $44,000 in laundered funds sent to a Nashville, Tenn. car dealer to purchase a Mercedes Benz automobile.

The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA – Three men, two from Texas, and one from Washington State, were sentenced Friday, August 27, 2021, by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 120 months in prison. Hieu Minh Le was sentenced to 120 months for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana and was found to be an organizer or leader of the conspiracy. Tu Anh Nguyen and Sanh Binh Tran were both sentenced to 60 months for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and 60 months to be served consecutively for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. According to court documents, Le, Nguyen, and Tran were found guilty by a jury on April 1, 2021. Their prison terms will be followed by four years of supervised release.

An Iowa State Patrol Trooper stopped Nguyen and Tran, who were driving a truck and trailer registered in Washington, on December 21, 2018, to perform a Commercial Motor Vehicle regulatory inspection. The trooper noticed numerous irregularities with the commercial motor vehicle paperwork, safety equipment, and lack of conformity with commercial motor vehicle industry standards. The trooper also detected an odor of bleach in the trailer and the load was not properly secured. A Council Bluffs Police canine officer and police service dog arrived for a free air sniff. An Iowa Department of Transportation sergeant also assisted with the commercial motor vehicle inspection. The police service dog alerted and indicated to the odor of illegal drugs and the truck and trailer were searched. The officers located 470 pounds of marijuana, numerous boxes containing cartridges of THC oil, and a firearm.

The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement assisted with this investigation and discovered that Le and Nguyen were stopped by a Scott County, Mississippi officer on November 2, 2018, and found in possession of boxes of THC cartridges and $108,000 in United States currency. Le and Nguyen were again stopped by Lincoln, Nebraska Police Department officers on March 1, 2019, and found in possession of $15,000 and a THC cartridge in a different truck and cargo trailer. During the course of the investigation, investigators also determined the business owned by Le, Extra Elbow Grease, was legitimately registered, however the bills of lading paperwork provided by Nguyen and Tran were fraudulent and the business was a front for distributing marijuana across the United States.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Division of Intelligence, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Crime Laboratory, Council Bluffs Police Department, Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Scott County (Mississippi) Sheriff’s Department, Lincoln (Nebraska) Police Department, Lancaster County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Department, and Douglas County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Department Crime Lab.

DES MOINES, IA – On August 30, 2021, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Melissa Deann Authier, age 36, of rural Pleasantville, to 33 months in prison for Wire Fraud announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Authier was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay Jolly Farms, Inc. $550,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, Authier was hired by Jolly Farms in early 2016 to provide bookkeeping services in support of a farming operation and tiling business that operated from rural Pleasantville. From early 2016 and continuing through February 2019, Authier devised and participated in a scheme to defraud Jolly Farms of monies. In total, Authier directed $550,000 of Jolly Farms’ monies to her own benefit without authorization. Authier stole through various means, including by paying Authier’s and Authier’s husband’s credit cards with Jolly Farms’ monies without authorization. Authier also repeatedly used, without authorization, credit cards issued to Jolly Farms to charge purchases and services that were for the benefit of Authier and her family; Authier then paid for those bills with Jolly Farms’ monies. In addition, Authier issued unauthorized paychecks to herself.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Kerndt.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA -- On August 27, 2021, a Council Bluffs man, John Allen Lindeman, Jr., age 26, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 78 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment is to be followed by three years of supervised release.

On November 19, 2020, Lindeman eluded law enforcement by driving back and forth between Nebraska and Iowa. Deputies with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office eventually spotted Lindeman’s vehicle in a parking lot in Council Bluffs. Lindeman refused to exit his vehicle and instead reversed his car at a high rate of speed. He continued to resist until law enforcement was able to arrest him. Lindeman was found in possession of a pistol at the time of his arrest.

According to court documents, Lindeman pleaded guilty to Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm in April of 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – On August 25, 2021, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Michael Rees, age 40, of Quincy, Illinois, to 151 months in prison for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy operating out of Burlington. Rees was also found to have possessed a firearm related to his drug trafficking activities and he was under criminal justice supervision at the time of this offense.

Rees was one of eight defendants who faced federal charges in the Southern District of Iowa after a multi-year joint federal and state investigation which culminated in the execution of search warrants in various locations, including Burlington, on November 19, 2019.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; West Central Illinois Taskforce; Quincy, Illinois Police Department; Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce; Burlington Police Department; and the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa prosecuted this matter.

This case is 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 safter for everyone.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Solon man, Christopher Allan Hay, age 49, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 30 months in prison for Drug User in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition and Possession of Unregistered Firearms. Hay was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $300 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, Hay was identified by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents in San Francisco and Chicago when they located suspicious packages sent from China – addressed to Hay – believed to contain illegal firearms silencers. After investigating, CBP determined the packages contained fourteen alleged “fuel filters,” which have no filtering capability and are easily converted into firearms silencers. As such, the ATF has deemed them silencers under the National Firearms Act. As a result, law enforcement executed a valid search warrant on Hay’s residence and located 37 firearms; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; four “fuel filter” silencers, one of which was attached to a firearm; as well as 813 grams of marijuana. Two of Hay’s firearms were determined to be fully automatic machineguns, which Hay admitted he illegally converted. Hay admitted purchasing the “fuel filters” with the intent to use them as firearm silencers, knowing it was illegal to possess them without the proper ATF paperwork and approval. In addition, Hay admitted knowingly possessing, using, and distributing marijuana. On April 19, 2021, Hay pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The United States Postal Inspection Service and Customs and Border Patrol investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Preston Andrew Cole, age 28, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 144 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. Cole was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and $3,000.00 in restitution.

According to court documents, a routine home contact was conducted by the United States Probation Office at Cole’s residence due to Cole being on federal supervision. The probation officer noticed a wi-fi router and multiple electronic devices with internet connectivity capabilities. Cole was interviewed and admitted to viewing child pornography on the devices and consuming alcohol – both violations of his supervised release. A forensic examination of the devices revealed multiple images of child pornography. On April 28, 2021, Cole admitted to the facts above and pleaded guilty to the charge. Cole had been previously convicted of receiving child pornography in May 2016 and was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment with 10 years of supervised release to follow. Due to the new charges, his supervised release was revoked, and he was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison. That term was ordered to be served consecutive to the 144 months’ imprisonment on the new charge.

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

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Chicago, Illinois man, with ties to Iowa City, Travon Shaetwon Ambrose, age 23, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 40 months’ imprisonment for Drug User in Possession of Firearms (Counts 1, 4, and 5), Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (Count 2), and to 60 months’ imprisonment for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 3). The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. Ambrose was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $500 to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

According to court documents, Ambrose was identified by law enforcement as a drug distributer in September 2019. A search warrant was executed at Ambrose’s residence in Iowa City in November 2019. During the search, officers found 100 grams of marijuana and numerous pills which Ambrose admitted he intended to distribute to others. Further search revealed $11,660 in cash, which was identified as drug proceeds/funds used to facilitate drug distribution, and two firearms. Ambrose admitted to possessing at least one of the firearms in furtherance of his possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. On September 28, 2020, Ambrose led law enforcement on a high speed and discarded a loaded firearm with an extended magazine during a foot pursuit. On October 23, 2020, Ambrose possessed a stolen handgun, large quantities of marijuana, and $875 in drug proceeds/funds used to facilitate drug distribution. On April 19, 2021, Ambrose pleaded guilty to the charges.

Acting 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 – A Burlington woman, Anita Sheree Bostic, age 26, was sentenced today by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 15 months in prison for False Statements During Purchases of Firearms. Bostic was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, on April 8 and 9, 2020, Anita Sheree Bostic went to Farm King in Burlington with her then-boyfriend, Kevin Garrett, who was a convicted felon. Bostic purchased a firearm on each date. For each purchase, Bostic filled out an ATF Form 4473 stating she was the actual purchaser of firearm. This was false, as Bostic intended to transfer the firearms to Garrett. Those false statements were intended to deceive the firearm dealer, who would not have sold the firearms to Garrett, a convicted felon. Bostic made similar purchases from other gun stores on March 28, 2020, and April 17, 2020. Bostic’s cell phone contained text messages between Bostic and Garrett in which they discussed firearms, accessories, prices, and Garrett directed Bostic to make certain purchases on his behalf. In total, Bostic transferred five firearms to Garrett, as well as several other firearms to other convicted felons. On April 25, 2021, Bostic pleaded guilty.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhood, 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.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – On August 24, 2021, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Clinton Andrew Wynn, age 43, of Ottumwa, to 332 months in prison on gun and drug charges.

According to court documents, Wynn previously pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.

These charges arose from a traffic stop of Wynn in Fairfield on October 3, 2020, where Wynn was found in possession of 33 pounds of ice methamphetamine, a gun, and $11,541 cash. Wynn admitted he had been involved in importing and distributing ice methamphetamine in Southeastern Iowa. When officers in Ottumwa subsequently arrested Wynn on his federal warrant, Wynn struck multiple police vehicles.

Wynn has prior criminal convictions for assault, domestic abuse assault, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, burglary, harassment, arson, violations of no contact orders, and OWI. At the time of this offense, Wynn was under criminal justice supervision for two felony drug offenses, a harassment first degree charge, and a charge for assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office, Fairfield Police Department, Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force, South Central Iowa Drug Task Force, Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, South Iowa Drug Task Force, Centerville Police Department, Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office, Ottumwa Police Department, and Wapello County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhood, 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.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Christopher Michael Screechfield, age 23, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 24 months in prison for Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Screechfield was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. This sentence is to be served consecutively to a supervised release revocation sentence for a prior federal offense from 2017.

According to court documents, Screechfield was identified after officers responded to a residence in Davenport where Screechfield attempted to commit suicide and injured himself. Screechfield was transported to the hospital. Further investigation from law enforcement revealed Screechfield was wanted for a supervised release violation by the United States Marshals Service. When officers took Screechfield into custody, he had three bullets in his possession. On April 20, 2021, Screechfield pleaded guilty to the charge.

Screechfield had previously been convicted of possession of an unregistered firearm in March of 2018 and was sentenced to 42 months in prison with three years of supervised release to follow. Screechfield was placed on supervised release on October 15, 2020. Due to the instant charge, his supervised release was revoked, and he was sentenced to serve 14 months in prison. That term was ordered to be served consecutive to the 24-month term imposed today.

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

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Willie James Powell, Jr., age 22, was sentenced today by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 57 months in prison for the offense of Felon in Possession of Firearms. Powell was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The investigation began on September 2, 2020, when Davenport Police responded to a report of suspicious and threatening activity in the area of West 8th Street. Shortly after, officers located a vehicle associated with the activity and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle fled from officers along many residential streets, exceeded 80 miles per hour, and eventually crashed. Powell, Jr. was the front seat passenger of the vehicle, which was discovered to have been stolen. A search of the vehicle produced two firearms—a Glock nine-millimeter pistol and a H&K nine-millimeter pistol. On April 19, 2021, Powell, Jr. pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing both the firearms. As a convicted felon, Powell, Jr. knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.

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

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Clinton man, Ray Daytrel Hopkins, age 45, was sentenced on August 24, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 120 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. Hopkins was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and $6,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, Hopkins was identified by law enforcement when an SD card from a camera belonging to Hopkins was turned over to the Clinton Police Department. Upon reviewing the SD card’s contents, law enforcement uncovered multiple videos of nude minor females. Law enforcement then executed a valid search warrant at Hopkins’s residence and seized additional electronic devices. On Hopkins’s cell phone, law enforcement located additional sexually explicit images of minor females. Hopkins pleaded guilty to the charge on April 9, 2021, admitting to knowingly possessing these visual depictions.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Clinton Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – Michael Antonio Davison, age 36, of Burlington, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 320 months in prison for trafficking ice methamphetamine into Burlington. Davison was involved in importing/distributing approximately 160 kilograms of ice methamphetamine in the Burlington area. Davison was also a leader/organizer of a drug trafficking group and possessed a firearm related to his drug trafficking activities. Davison has five prior convictions for felony drug offenses, and was under criminal justice supervision for two different drug felony offenses at the time of this criminal activity. Davison was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term. Davison was also ordered to pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund.

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

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Kansas City, Missouri man, Andre Emmanuel Sanders, age 53, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 100 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and 60 months in prison for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, to be served consecutively, for a total of 160 months in prison. Sanders was ordered to serve four years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $300 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, Sanders was involved in an investigation that began in January 2020 when Sanders fled a traffic stop at a high rate of speed and drove in the wrong lane of travel – nearly causing two crashes. After crashing his own vehicle, Sanders discarded a loaded firearm and ran from law enforcement. Once apprehended, prescription pills were found in his possession. Two weeks later, police observed Sanders illegally park a car in West Burlington and walk away. The officer observed a firearm wedged between the driver’s seat and the center console of the vehicle Sanders drove. The officer towed the vehicle and obtained a valid search warrant. Approximately 25.86 grams of methamphetamine and ammunition were located in the center console. As a convicted felon, Sanders knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Burlington Police Department investigated the case.

DES MOINES, IOWA – On Thursday, August 19, 2021, a federal judge sentenced Jennifer Elizabeth Shorter, age 23, of Des Moines, to 33 months in prison for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Shorter previously pleaded guilty to the charge.

At sentencing, United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner found Shorter had illegally purchased eleven firearms by lying on the purchasing forms. For ten of the firearms, Shorter claimed she was the actual buyer, when she actually purchased the firearms for others. Two of those firearms were recovered in the hands of prohibited individuals, a felon and a juvenile. Eight of the firearms remain unrecovered.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Des Moines Police Department. 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, IOWA – A Casey man, Dale Lee Waldroupe, age 36, was sentenced on August 19, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 150 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to Drug Trafficking. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Waldroupe pleaded guilty to the methamphetamine and firearm offenses in March of 2021.

In November 2020, Waldroupe was involved in a car accident in Council Bluffs and prior to law enforcement’s arrival he fled the scene. Waldroupe was located by law enforcement a short distance from the accident and officers discovered Waldroupe possessed fifty grams of methamphetamine, a scale, and a stolen firearm.

Acting 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.

Nicole Poole Franklin attempted to kill two children because of their race and national origin

DES MOINES, IA – Nicole Poole Franklin, age 43, of Des Moines, was sentenced to 304 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose after pleading guilty to two hate crime charges for attempting to kill two minors because of their race and national origin. The federal sentence will run concurrently with the 25-year sentence imposed in the Iowa District Court for Polk County on May 28, 2021, for two counts of attempted murder. Poole Franklin was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

On the afternoon of December 9, 2019, Poole Franklin drove her Jeep Grand Cherokee on Creston Avenue in Des Moines, where the first child-victim and a minor family member were walking on the sidewalk. Upon seeing the children and believing the victim was of Middle Eastern or African descent, Poole Franklin intentionally drove her vehicle over the curb, striking one of them. She then drove away from the scene. The child victim suffered cuts, bruising, and swelling. Poole Franklin later stated she believed the child was “ISIS” and was going to take her out. Approximately 30 minutes later, Poole Franklin drove her vehicle near Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive, where the second child-victim was walking on the sidewalk. Poole Franklin, drove her Jeep over the curb and struck the victim, causing serious injury, including a concussion, bruises, and cuts. Poole Franklin later told law enforcement that she believed the minor victim was Hispanic, and was “takin over . . . our homes, and our jobs,” and “wasn’t supposed to be in our country.” Poole Franklin again left the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement later that day.

Acting Southern District of Iowa United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal wrote in his sentencing memorandum to the district court, “Nothing can be more devastating to the American dream of equal rights than the actions of Poole Franklin on a hate filled December 9, 2019, as she callously attempted to run over and kill a 12 year old boy, and a 14 year old girl. Two minors who had done nothing wrong other than innocently walk on a street, and happen to be of a different race and skin color from Poole Franklin. Her actions temporarily shattered, but did not permanently defeat this dream. Because these two courageous victims, and their amazing families, continue to epitomize the hopes of what our society can be. Holding Poole Franklin accountable, not only for her intentional actions, but for the malicious beliefs behind them, is what our justice system should be, and a must to provide just punishment, afford adequate deterrence, and protect the public from further crimes by this defendant.”

Following today’s sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated, “Nicole Poole Franklin committed a despicable crime. She targeted and seriously injured two children because of the color of their skin. FBI Omaha will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate hate crimes and seek justice for the victims. We encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Des Moines Police Department, the Clive Police Department, the West Des Moines Police Department, and the Polk County Attorney’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, in conjunction with the Department of Justice-Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced Thursday, August 12, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 327 months in prison for Coercion and Enticement of minor foreign exchange students. According to court documents, Thomas Donald Boatright, age 52, pleaded guilty to the offenses in February 2021. His prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Boatright was ordered to pay restitution to the minor victims.

Boatright worked as a foreign exchange student coordinator and host parent for a program where students from other countries enrolled in a year of high school in the United States. The students were assigned a host family to live with while they attended high school. In February 2020, a report was made by a foreign student after visiting Boatright’s residence. The student reported that a hidden camera was discovered in the bathroom. Boatright had two minor foreign students living with him as part of the exchange program. A search warrant of Boatright’s residence recovered numerous electronic devices. A forensic examination discovered numerous videos of three minor foreign exchange students in the bathroom of Boatright’s home. An investigation unveiled that Boatright used his cellular phone and computer to engage in conversations with the foreign students prior to and after arriving in the United States that were sexual in nature. Boatright used his position as a foreign exchange student coordinator and host parent to coerce and entice foreign students to engage in sexual activity after they arrived in the United States.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Secret Service National Computer Forensics Institute provided computer forensic training and equipment.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced Thursday, August 12, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 121 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. His term of imprisonment will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. According to court documents, Cody Goodwin Taylor, age 31, of Council Bluffs, pleaded guilty to Possession of Child Pornography in April 2021.

In July 2020, a cybertip was received by Council Bluffs Police Department that numerous images of suspected child pornography had been uploaded to a Google drive account. While CBPD was investigating the cybertip, they received a report that Taylor’s cellular phone contained child pornography. A search warrant was executed on Taylor’s cell phone and a forensic analysis discovered over one hundred photos and videos of child pornography.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department investigated the case and the United States Secret Service National Computer Forensics Institute provided computer forensic training and equipment.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A Council Bluffs man, Dylan Michael Joseph Hoffman, age 30, was sentenced on Thursday, August 12, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 63 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed with three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Hoffman pleaded guilty to the offense in March of 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

DAVENPORT – On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, a Minton man was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 80 months in federal prison for distributing child pornography.

According to court documents, Joshua Emil Sullivan, age 46, admitted to distributing child pornography over the internet. After Sullivan’s term of imprisonment, he will be required to serve a term of supervised release of five years and register as a sex offender.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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 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 – A Davenport man was sentenced on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 210 months in federal prison for production and receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents, Keith Allen Shrum, age 32, admitted he sexually abused a child, produced child pornography related to that sexual abuse, and received child pornography over the internet. Shrum came to the attention of law enforcement after sexual text messages between Shrum and the minor victim were discovered. Shrum initially denied inappropriate contact with the child, but eventually admitted to law enforcement the sexual contact had been going on for approximately one year. During the execution of search warrants, Shrum was found in possession of thousands of images of child pornography dating back to 2016. Following Shrum’s prison sentence he will be required to serve a ten-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

This matter 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 – On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, a Burlington man was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 20 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Gerald Victor Terry, age 50, admitted to distributing ice methamphetamine in Burlington. Terry had several prior criminal convictions and was on State of Iowa parole for two felony convictions at the time of this offense. After Terry’s prison term he will serve five years of supervised release.

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

DES MOINES – An Oskaloosa man, Cody James Vancenbrock, age 28, was sentenced on July 29, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger, to 240 months in prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine Resulting in Death. Following imprisonment, Vancenbrock is ordered to serve five years of supervised release, pay restitution, and pay $100 to the Crime Victims Fund. Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made this announcement.

According to court documents, on August 4, 2019, Vancenbrock intentionally injected methamphetamine at an Oskaloosa apartment into a twenty-four-year-old female victim. Soon after, the methamphetamine injected by Vancenbrock caused the death of the victim. After the victim died in the apartment, Vancenbrock and another person carried the victim’s body out of the apartment, placed her in a vehicle, drove to a location in rural Mahaska County, and disposed of the body in the Skunk River. The body was later found and recovered on August 6, 2019.

The United States Attorney’s Office-Southern District of Iowa prosecuted this case. This investigation was conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Criminal Investigation, the Oskaloosa Police Department, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A La Porte City man, Austin Michael Kiler, was sentenced today by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 21 months in prison for Cyberstalking. Kiler was ordered to serve two years of supervised release to follow his prison term, as well as pay $ 100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. On March 26, 2021, Kiler was found guilty following a jury trial.

According to court documents, Austin Michael Kiler, age 24, was in a relationship with an identified victim between the winter of 2018 and March 2019. After their relationship ended, the victim began dating another person. Kiler then electronically and physically followed the victim and the new partner. As a result, the victim obtained a civil protective order against Kiler. Over the next nine months the victim reported to the police multiple instances in which Kiler had been stalking them—which included Kiler driving by the victim’s known residence, Kiler driving by the new partner’s residence, numerous fake dating/social media accounts that continuously contacted the victim and the new partner, and contact with the victim through spoofed text messages. One of the text messages the victim received contained information leading them to believe Kiler had been watching them through the windows of their home.

Evidence on Kiler’s electronic devices revealed calendar events regarding the whereabouts of the victim, screenshots of the victim and the new partner’s dating/social media profiles, evidence of Kiler having created fake online personas, as well as videos and photos— taken through a window—of the victim and the new partner engaged in sexual activities. Geolocation data from Kiler’s accounts corroborated nearly all the victim’s reported sightings of Kiler.

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

DES MOINES, IOWA -- Twenty-seven defendants are facing federal criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of a heroin and fentanyl drug trafficking organization. Most of these defendants were arrested on July 21, 2021; three individuals have yet to be arrested.

These defendants are charged with federal drug offenses in two criminal indictments:

• Malek Shawn Holmes, age 21, of Des Moines
• Pierre Fontain Black, age 30, of Des Moines
• Deshawn Levell Greer, age 29, of Des Moines
• Desmond Lamar Howard, age 30, of Des Moines
• Carl Murphy, age 52, of Chicago, Illinois
• Earl Otis Clay, III, age 29, of Des Moines
• Gregory Izell Spight, age 42, of Des Moines
• Michael Byrd, age 28, of Chicago, Illinois
• Azim Abdul-Ahad, age 22, of Des Moines
• Ronald Harris, age 35, of Des Moines
• Derrick Fleming, age 27, of Chicago, Illinois
• Patrick Staples, age 28, of Chicago, Illinois
• Brandon Reed, age 28, of Chicago, Illinois
• Tabaris Brown, age 22, of Des Moines
• Dandre Cox, age 21, of Des Moines
• Daeante Dewayne Neely, age 28, of Des Moines
• Elijah Seymour, age 33, of Des Moines
• Felicia Olson, age 29, of Des Moines
• Sarah Hume, age 39, of Des Moines
• Andrew Price, age 29, of Des Moines
• Jason Beaman, age 46, of Knoxville
• Jamisha Canada, age 44, of Des Moines
• Tonie Canada, age 39, of Des Moines
• Rickey’a Dee Jackson, age 22, of Des Moines
• Devante Jave Taylor, age 26, of Des Moines
• Tyler Robert Wood, age 30, of Des Moines
• Zakar Jeffrey, age 28, of Des Moines

All defendants arrested on July 21 have or will soon appear in federal court on the charges.

The charges stem from a months’ long investigation into heroin and fentanyl distribution within the Des Moines area. The charges carry maximum penalties of up to life imprisonment, with a ten- year mandatory minimum prison term as to Malek Holmes, and five-year mandatory minimum prison terms as to Pierre Black, Deshawn Greer, Carl Murphy, Earl Clay, III, Gregory Spight, Michael Byrd, Azim Abdul-Ahad, Ronald Harris, Derrick Fleming, Patrick Staples, Brandon Reed, Tabaris Brown, Daeante Neely, Felicia Olson, Andrew Price, Jason Beaman, Jamisha Canada, and Tonie Canada. 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. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The charges were announced by Richard D. Westphal, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. Investigating and assisting agencies include: the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force; Central Iowa Gang Task Force; Des Moines Police Department; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Iowa State Patrol; Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center; Iowa State Patrol SWAT; United States Marshals Service; Central Iowa Drug Task Force; Drug Enforcement Agency; Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force East; Homeland Security Investigations; Altoona Police Department; Story County Sheriff’s Office; Ames Police Department; Norwalk Police Department; West Des Moines Police Department; Ankeny Police Department; METRO Star; SERT; Iowa 5th Judicial District; Federal Bureau of Investigation Chicago; Federal Bureau of Investigation Kansas City; Federal Bureau of Investigation Minneapolis; Federal Bureau of Investigation Omaha; and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

COUNCIL BLUFF, IA – On Friday, July 23, 2021, Hershal James Ratliff, age 71, long time businessman and owner of Jimmy’s All American Malt Shop and Grill in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was found guilty of four counts of sex trafficking minors, two counts of sex trafficking adults and two counts of distributing a controlled substance to a person under twenty-one years of age. The verdict came after a four-day trial before United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey.

Evidence presented at trial showed that RATLIFF, over the last ten years, would have minor girls come to his house an perform sex acts on him and with his friends in exchange for money, drugs, and other material things. The testimony showed that Ratliff provided the minor girls with alcohol, prescription Xanax, and marijuana both before and after they participated in sex acts at his residence.

In addition, the evidence showed that Ratliff obtained sex acts for his friends from adult women by the use of force and coercion.  No sentencing date has been set.

The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA -- An Omaha, Nebraska man, Daniel James Haacke, age 35, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 160 months in prison for drug and firearms offenses. His term of imprisonment is to be followed by four years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Haacke pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking in February of 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, federal search warrants were executed at the following locations in the Des Moines metropolitan area:

• 1100 block of 24th Street, Des Moines
• 1300 block of 13th Place, Des Moines
• 800 block of Loomis Avenue, Des Moines
• 1200 block of East 32nd Street, Des Moines
• 6300 block of Hickman Road, Des Moines
• 1300 block of Clark Street, Des Moines
• 5100 block of Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines
• 1700 block of Logan Avenue, Des Moines
• 400 block of Aurora Avenue, Des Moines
• 2200 block of 32nd Street, Des Moines
• 1800 block of 2nd Avenue, Des Moines
• 300 block of East Grand Avenue, Des Moines
• 800 block of East County Line Road, Des Moines

The searches at these locations were an official law enforcement action involving officers, agents, and investigators from Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force; Central Iowa Gang Task Force; Des Moines Police Department; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Iowa State Patrol; Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center; Iowa State Patrol SWAT; United States Marshals Service; Central Iowa Drug Task Force; Drug Enforcement Agency; Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force East; Homeland Security Investigations; Altoona Police Department; Story County Sheriff’s Office; Ames Police Department; Norwalk Police Department; West Des Moines Police Department; Ankeny Police Department; METRO Star; SERT; Iowa 5th Judicial District; Federal Bureau of Investigation Chicago; Federal Bureau of Investigation Kansas City; Federal Bureau of Investigation Minneapolis; Federal Bureau of Investigation Omaha.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A East Moline man, Davion Demitri Gary, age 22, was sentenced on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 65 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Gary was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $100.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, on April 21, 2020, Davenport Police were called to an apartment complex regarding a shots-fired incident. Officers made contact with Gary after stopping a vehicle suspected of being involved in the shots-fired incident. The vehicle Gary was in contained guns, drugs, and a large amount of ammunition. Gary was identified by a witness as the shooter. At the time of this shooting, Gary was on parole through the State of Iowa for Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury, related to his involvement in a prior shooting. In that incident, Gary shot another person.

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

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On July 13, 2021, a federal jury convicted three men, all originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in Burlington, and elsewhere, as a part of a drug conspiracy dating back to 2008.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kendrick Ramon Page, age 39; Tristan Kareem Davis, age 36; and Breon Raquon Armstrong, age 20; entered an agreement with each other, and others, to distribute crack cocaine and ice methamphetamine in Burlington and elsewhere. Page relocated from Shreveport to Burlington while he was still in school and had brought others, including Davis and Armstrong, from Shreveport to assist in Page’s drug trafficking activities. The evidence showed Page had been involved in trafficking drugs in Burlington since the early 2000s.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. “This case is a testament to the dedication and hard work of multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and our prosecution partners at the Des Moines County Attorney’s Office, working together to bring a long standing drug organization to justice,” stated Westphal.

Des Moines County Sheriff Kevin Glendengin stated, “This was a long-term, collaborative investigation involving numerous investigators from many different agencies. The excellent work and tireless efforts of these investigators are a testament to their dedication to making our communities a safe place to live, work, and play. The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have worked together with all the law enforcement professionals involved in this investigation, and to get these dangerous narcotic distributors out of our communities.”

Donald Payton of the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 4 Commander remarked, “This investigation was a fantastic collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in a multi-state area. The number of arrests made during this investigation will make a significant impact on narcotic distribution in West Central Illinois, Southeast Iowa, and Northeast Missouri. The West Central Illinois Task Force will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors in Iowa and Missouri to aggressively combat the illegal distribution of narcotics in the tri-state area.”

Page, Davis, and Armstrong were among eight defendants who faced federal charges as a result of an investigation in Burlington, Iowa; Quincy, Illinois; and elsewhere, which culminated in the execution of search warrants on November 19, 2019. Others charged as a part of this drug trafficking organization included Alphonso Edmond, Jr, who pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing; Frederrick Dewayne Reed, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 160 months of imprisonment; 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; and Michael Rees, who pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Other individuals associated with this drug trafficking organization have been charged federally in the Southern District of Iowa, the Central District of Illinois, and the Northern District of Texas.

These charges stem from a long-term 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.

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

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Solon man, Alfredo Alexander Lujan, was sentenced on June 30, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 144 months in prison for Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography. Lujan was ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release to follow his prison sentence, pay $200.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and pay a $5,000.00 special assessment in accordance with the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

According to court documents, Alfredo Alexander Lujan, age 43, was identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as having traded child pornography with an individual in North Carolina. Further investigation revealed they had sent links containing child pornography via the KIK application to one other. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lujan’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices.  Lujan admitted receiving and possessing child pornography. In total, Lujan possessed nearly 200 images and videos depicting child pornography. On February 19, 2021, Lujan pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.

Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case. The 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 Thursday, July 8, 2021, a federal judge sentenced Mariah Lynn Cross, age 24, of Des Moines, to 12 months and one day in prison for providing a firearm to a felon and illegally possessing firearms as a drug user. Cross previously pleaded guilty to the charges.

At sentencing, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger found Cross had illegally purchased three firearms by lying on the purchasing forms. All three of those firearms were recovered in the hands of prohibited persons, including felons, drugs users, and an individual subject to a domestic violence restraining order.

Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Des Moines Police Department. 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.

Des Moines, Iowa – A Des Moines man was sentenced on Friday, July 2, 2021, to 15 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents, Osman Rashid Jama, age 39, defrauded the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from at least January 2017 through April 2019. Jama owned and operated the MidCity Halal Food Market Inc., d/b/a International Food Market (International), in Des Moines. Jama, and others at his direction, scanned SNAP and WIC recipients’ EBT cards at his store. Instead of giving the recipient the WIC and/or SNAP approved items, Jama and others gave recipients non-approved items, store credit, and cash. Jama also used SNAP recipients’ EBT cards to purchase items to stock his store. Jama was found to have defrauded the programs a total of $1,445,460.47 and was ordered to pay restitution to the agencies that administer the programs.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

DES MOINES, IA – On June 30, 2021, an Ottumwa man was sentenced to 19 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in violation of federal law. In February 2021, following a two-day trial, a jury found the defendant guilty of the two firearm charges. Defendant had previously pleaded guilty to the drug charges.

According to court documents and proceedings, Hector Ramon Iglesias Tovar of Ottumwa, age 35, was involved in trafficking over 1.5 kilograms of “ice” methamphetamine, in Ottumwa and elsewhere. He possessed an Anderson AR 15 rifle and a Springfield XD .45 handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking. Because defendant was unlawfully in the United States his possession of these firearms was also a violation of federal law.

Iglesias’ co-defendant, David Lemley, also of Ottumwa, was sentenced in May 2021 to 84 months in prison for his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force, the Ottumwa Police Department, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

DES MOINES, IA – A Des Moines woman was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to eight years in federal prison for Conspiracy to Damage an Energy Facility. Jessica Rae Reznicek, age 39, was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay $3,198,512.70 in restitution.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa and FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel made the announcement.

According to court documents, Reznicek, as early as November 8, 2016, and continuing until May 2, 2017, conspired with other individuals to damage the Dakota Access Pipeline at several locations within the Southern District of Iowa, Northern District of Iowa, and the District of South Dakota. Specifically, the defendant admitted to damaging and attempting to damage the pipeline using an oxy-acetylene cutting torch and fires near pipeline instrumentation and equipment in Mahaska, Boone, and Wapello Counties within the Southern District of Iowa.

Acting U.S. Attorney Westphal stated, “This was a federal crime of terrorism. Criminal acts conducted on multiple instances, at multiple locations, over a sustained period of time, resulting in over $3 million dollars in ordered restitution. After which Reznicek sought to encourage others to engage in similar conduct. As this investigation and punishment show, any crime of terrorism will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted by the federal government.”

Following the sentencing, FBI Special Agent in Charge Kowel commented, “Protecting the American people from terrorism – both international and domestic – remains the FBI’s number one priority. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring domestic terrorists like Jessica Reznicek to justice. Her sentence today should be a deterrent to anyone who intends to commit violence through an act of domestic terrorism.”

Reznicek’s co-defendant, Ruby Montoya, is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Brenton Mon’Shae Jones, age 24, was sentenced on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 46 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Receipt and Possession of a Machinegun, and Receipt and Possession of an Unregistered Machinegun. This sentence is to be served consecutively to a supervised release revocation sentence of 18 months imposed the same day. Jones was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison sentence and pay $300.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

On August 12, 2020, Jones was in possession of a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol. The pistol had a switch affixed to it that converted the Glock pistol from semi-automatic to fully automatic. As a result, the Glock pistol functioned as a fully automatic machinegun. Jones was prohibited from possessing any firearms due to prior felony convictions including a 2018 conviction in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa for the offenses of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. On August 12, 2020, Jones was serving a period of supervised release associated with that conviction.

Acting United States 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.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Donell Jamar Hines, age 32, was sentenced on Monday, June 28, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 57 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Mixture and Substance Containing Cocaine Base, Cocaine, and Heroin. This sentence is to be served consecutively with a supervised release revocation sentence of 24 months for a prior offense that Hines had been sentenced to in 2016. The total sentence impose was 81 months in prison. Hines was ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $100.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, Hines was identified by law enforcement as a participant in drug activities. On September 25, 2019, members of the Davenport Police Department executed a search warrant on the known residence of Hines in the area of Betsy Ross Place in Davenport. During the search, officers located a large amount of United States currency, multiple plastic baggies of drugs including cocaine and heroin, and a digital scale. Following laboratory testing, the controlled substances recovered were determined to be approximately 166 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of cocaine base, and 4 grams of heroin. On February 19, 2021, Hines admitted that on or about September 25, 2019, he was knowingly and intentionally in possession of the controlled substances mentioned above and had the intention to distribute some of all the controlled substances to another person. Hines, furthermore, admitted to the currency found being proceeds from his activity in distributing controlled substances.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The Davenport Police Department investigated the case.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 41 months in prison for felon and drug user in possession of a firearm. The prison term is to be followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Garrett Duane Hanika, age 33, of Council Bluffs, was attempting to elude officers and speeding -- 60 mph in a 35 mph zone -- down the center turn lanes on Broadway in Council Bluffs until he crashed the vehicle and attempted to run. Hanika was apprehended and a loaded Bryco Amrs, Model 48, .380 caliber pistol was found in his car.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA – A Nebraska man was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 37 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for knowingly possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.

According to court documents, on May 17, 2020, Matthew C. Banfield, age 36, of Omaha, was in possession of a Springfield 45 caliber handgun. Banfield fired the weapon at various stationary targets in a rural location located in Pottawattamie County. Prior to this date, Banfield had been convicted of a felony. During his possession of the firearm, Banfield knew he was a prohibited person based on his prior felony convictions. Banfield pleaded guilty to the gun charge on January 8, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The Council Bluffs Police Department, Omaha Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force investigated the case.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Mount Pleasant man was sentenced on June 28, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 132 months in prison for Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography. Alanis was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term, pay $100.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and $6,000 in restitution.  

According to court documents, Jacob Hugo Alanis, age 21, was identified by the Mount Pleasant Police Department when they received a cyber tip from Dropbox alleging the presence of child pornography related to a particular email address. On October 15, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence associated with the email address. At the residence, Alanis admitted the email address belonged to him. Alanis also admitted downloading, watching, and trading child pornography. Law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices, on which law enforcement located hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.

Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this matter. The 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 – A Muscatine woman, Kayla Jean Crabtree, was sentenced on June 22, 2021, by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 180 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Following her prison term, Crabtree was ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay $100.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

According to court documents, Crabtree, age 34, was identified as a drug trafficking suspect in approximately January of 2019. When attempting a traffic stop on Crabtree for an outstanding arrest warrant based on a parole violation, Crabtree fled by striking into police squad cars that were blocking her path. When apprehended, a glass methamphetamine pipe and functioning compact digital scale were found on her. A search warrant was executed on Crabtree’s vehicle and officers found approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine, drug packaging materials, and $3,389.25 cash. As part of the investigation, law enforcement learned Crabtree was involved with the distribution of over 1.5kg of ice methamphetamine. Crabtree pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on January 28, 2021 and admitted to being involved in an ice methamphetamine distribution conspiracy beginning by as early as January 1, 2019, and continuing until April 23, 2019, when Crabtree was arrested.

The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa prosecuted this matter.

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Riverside man, Jakari Eman Smith, Sr., age 29, was sentenced on Monday, June 21, 2021, by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 50 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Smith was ordered to served three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement.

According to court documents, Smith was involved in a vehicle crash in North Liberty. Law enforcement officers approached Smith, noting his breath smelled strongly of alcohol. Smith, was uncooperative with law enforcement and a struggle ensued, during which Smith reached at his waistband area. Subsequently, law enforcement found a firearm directly below the area where Smith had grasped. On February 12, 2021, Smith pleaded guilty to the charge.

The North Liberty Police Department investigated the case and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa prosecuted the matter.

Davenport, Iowa – A Missouri man was arrested June 16, 2021, in Missouri on criminal charges related to his alleged production of child pornography and sextortion of minor females in Muscatine, Iowa.

According to court documents, Chad Alan Craghead, age 44, of Fulton, Missouri, who is a teacher and coach, posed as a teenage boy online and obtained nude images of Minor Victim 1, a sixteen- year-old from Muscatine. After obtaining those images, he created a second false identity and demanded additional nude images of Minor Victim 1, threatening to disseminate the nude images he already had to her friends and family if she did not comply. Craghead extorted Minor Victim 1 over the course of several months.

Minor Victim 1’s sixteen-year-old cousin, Minor Victim 2, tried to help her. As a result, Craghead extorted Minor Victim 2, threatening to disseminate Minor Victim 1’s nude images if Minor Victim 2 did not comply with his demands for nude images and videos. Minor Victim 2 complied, sending Craghead sexually explicit videos of herself.

The FBI assisted the Muscatine Police Department in the investigation and, through several Snapchat accounts associated with Craghead, located a number of other minor females across the country, some as young as 13 years old, who either sent him nude images or from whom Craghead extorted or attempted to extort nude images.

Craghead is charged with two counts of Production of Child Pornography, two counts of Interstate Communications with Intent to Extort, and one count of Cyberstalking. If convicted, Craghead faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, United States District Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced George Freeman Cary, age 57, of Fort Madison, to 360 months in prison for Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography and Possessing Child Pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Following his prison term, Cary was ordered to serve twenty years of supervised release, as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Cary was caught distributing child pornography on the Kik messaging application. Cary has previous convictions for Indecent Contact with a Child, Lascivious Acts with a Child, and Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. Cary also had two prior convictions for failing to comply with the sex offender registry.

This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. The 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.