Southern District of Iowa

DAVENPORT, Iowa - On February 14, 2018, Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Michele Lynn McGee, 45, of Bettendorf, Iowa, to 72 months in prison for five counts of wire fraud and one count of benefits fraud, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. McGee was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release following her imprisonment, and pay $600 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. McGee was also ordered to self-surrender to the designated prison.

On August 28, 2017, McGee pled guilty to the charges, which arose from an investigation initiated by the Bettendorf Police Department and further pursued by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. As stated in the plea agreement, McGee defrauded UbiCare, a healthcare solutions company out of Boston, Massachusetts, that markets interactive mobile messaging to healthcare providers throughout the country. They hired McGee as the director of sales attempting to expand into the Midwest market. McGee was employed from May 12, 2014, through February 12, 2015. Between those dates, McGee purportedly signed five new clients (hospitals) to contracts with UbiCare totaling $1,896,375, all of which were fraudulent, in that all of the contracts contained a forged signature placed there by McGee. McGee was paid a salary, commission, and bonuses totaling $115,973. During the execution of a search warrant at McGee’s residence, McGee admitted that she drafted the five fraudulent contracts. McGee was ordered to pay $115,973 in restitution to UbiCare.

Further investigation revealed that beginning in February 2012, McGee received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and received Title XIX Medicaid benefits through the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS). These benefits continued monthly until July 2014. During that time period, McGee received over $11,000 in fraudulent food stamps and Medicaid benefits by not reporting her household earnings. McGee admitted that she knowingly withheld household income information from DHS because she believed her public aid would be cancelled if DHS was aware of it. McGee was ordered to pay the State of Iowa $11,514.91.

From February 2012 until August 2012, McGee worked from home for RXS Group, LLC, a company located in Utah. McGee represented to RXS that she obtained a contract with the Nevada prisons for RXS to provide pharmaceutical medications for a five-year period. The contract was fraudulent and contained a forged signature placed there by McGee. Based on the contract, RXS drew up a business plan for expanded operations in Nevada which included entering into purchase agreements for a pharmacy and equipment needed to package the medications, suffering a substantial loss. McGee was ordered to pay restitution to RXS in the amount of $384,869.57.

This matter was investigated by Bettendorf Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa – On February 2, 2018, Scott Jacob Smith, age 33, of Indianola, appeared before United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose and was sentenced to 235 months in prison following a jury trial where he was found guilty of receipt of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and possession of child pornography.

According to evidence presented at trial, a search warrant was executed at Smith’s residence in Indianola on August 1, 2013, and his computer was seized by law enforcement. A subsequent forensic examination of Smith’s computer showed he received and possessed images containing child pornography.
This investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, United States Marshals Service, Indianola Police Department, and Iowa Department of Human Services. The 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 Child” 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-- On February 13, 2018, Devon Durran Davis, age 25, of Davenport was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 46 months in prison following his guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Davis was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. The firearm was forfeited.

On February 1, 2017, Davenport Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Davis was a passenger. A loaded 9mm handgun and marijuana were located in the car and attributed to Davis. At the time of the traffic stop, Davis was on state probation after receiving a deferred judgment for unlawful possession with the intent to deliver heroin.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives and Davenport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa-- On February 13, 2018, America Yegile Haileselassie, age 39, of Bettendorf, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 60 months in prison following his guilty plea to interstate communication of a bomb threat, according to United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Haileselassie was ordered to serve one year of supervised release following his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to the plea agreement, on November 4, 2015, Scott County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Scott Community College (SCC) in Davenport and observed a stack of printed papers from the Student Success Center, each with a printed message: “There is a bomb at Scott Community College. It will explode at noon today.” The bomb threat was discovered when a SCC employee who was working in the Student Success Center noticed a large stack of papers being printed and cancelled the print job. A specific email address identified to America Haileselassie was observed on the printer as the printing was cancelled. SCC personnel initiated bomb threat protocol and searched the premises for a bomb. No bomb or explosive was found at SCC. Law enforcement officers later learned Haileselassie had been verbally advised the week prior to the threat he was going to be suspended from school for stealing a book. Haileselassie admitted he sent the bomb threat by accessing the Internet, causing a message to be sent to a printer at SCC.

At sentencing, the Court applied sentencing enhancements for causing a substantial disruption to SCC, and obstruction of justice. The obstruction enhancement was based on Haileselassie sending false anonymous tips to law enforcement naming someone else as making the bomb threats.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Scott County Sheriff’s Office; and Bettendorf Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa-- On February 12, 2018, Gregory Louis Baxter, Jr., age 34, formerly of Burlington, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 242 months in prison following his guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Baxter was ordered to serve ten years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Baxter faced an enhanced statutory mandatory minimum sentence based on a 2014 state conviction for conspiracy to deliver marijuana.

According to the plea agreement, on April 4, 2017, Baxter possessed 312 grams of actual “ice” methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Baxter admitted to distributing ounces of methamphetamine to another on that date. Baxter also admitted he intentionally attempted to flee from law enforcement agents in a vehicle and attempted to destroy evidence.

This investigation was conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force; Johnson County Drug Task Force; Burlington Police Department; West Burlington Police Department; Iowa State Patrol; and Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Shannon Maurice Johnson used a third party to illegally purchase guns

DES MOINES, Iowa – On February 12, 2018, Shannon Maurice Johnson, age 32, of Des Moines, Iowa, appeared before United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey and was sentenced to 180 months in prison following his plea of guilty to a felon in possession of firearms charge.

According to the plea agreement, Johnson admitted he utilized a third-party, his co-defendant Carolett Leyva, to purchase firearms for him from Des Moines area gun shops, as he was unable to do so because of a prior felony conviction. Defendant was found in possession of one of these firearms during a traffic stop by law enforcement in Illinois in February of 2017. Carolett Leyva is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief Judge Jarvey on February 20, 2018.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Illinois State Patrol, Mid Iowa Narcotics Task Force, and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA – On January 23, 2018, Roger Duane Goodwin, age 59, of Windsor Heights, Iowa, was charged with seven counts of mail fraud announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

According to the Indictment, Goodwin owned and operated “Goodwin Network of Advisors, Inc.” which was also referred to as “Goodwin Network”, “GN of A”, and “GNA Corp.” and sold life insurance, annuities, and similar investment products to individuals in the Des Moines and Houston, Texas areas. From at least February 2013 and continuing through at least August 2016, Goodwin advised several of his clients to purchase insurance products from him. Instead of purchasing insurance policies or contracts for these clients, Goodwin deposited the clients’ checks into a bank account associated with Goodwin Network of Advisors – which only Goodwin and his spouse could access. The indictment alleges Goodwin kept all or large portions of the funds and used the money for unauthorized purposes that were not for the benefit of the affected clients. Goodwin used his clients’ money, unbeknownst to them, for his personal expenses, directly repaying other clients of Goodwin’s, and making payments to the insurance companies for the benefit of other clients whose money Goodwin had failed to earlier send to the insurance company.

Goodwin has a preliminary trial date of April 2, 2018, before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger, at the Des Moines Federal Courthouse. Mail Fraud is punishable by a maximum prison term of twenty years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
The public is reminded that an indictment is only an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this matter. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa – On February 2, 2018, Shawn Michael Kerby, 39, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 20 months in prison for obtaining hydrocodone by misrepresentation and being a user and addict of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Kerby was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine.

According to the plea agreement, Kerby practiced dentistry at two dental clinics, Kerby Family Dentistry and Bright Smiles Family Dental. Kerby admitted he was addicted to opiates, including hydrocodone. Through his dental practices, Kerby prescribed hydrocodone to patients, even though there was no medical need. He then arranged for patients to provide the hydrocodone pills back to him after the patient filled the prescription at a local pharmacy.

On December 1, 2015, law enforcement executed search warrants at Kerby’s residence and dental practices. Kerby was found in possession of a Beretta handgun, a Heckler & Koch handgun, a Smith & Wesson snub-nose .38 caliber revolver, a Browning Arms shotgun, two Benelli shotguns, and a Herington/Richardson shotgun. Kerby had been abusing hydrocodone while in possession of the firearms.

This investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa – On January 23, 2018, Jonathan Lee Decker, 28, of Chariton, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 70 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. On March 11, 2017, Decker was caught in possession of methamphetamine, as well as a machete with a 12-inch sharpened blade.

This case was investigated by the Chariton, Iowa, Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA -- On January 19, 2018, Luke Crouse, age 26, formerly of Huxley, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to five years in prison and three years of supervised release to follow his prison term for transferring obscene material to a minor announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

Crouse was arrested by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in March of 2017, after he engaged in numerous lewd chats on a social media site with a purported 14-year old girl in another state, and sent her three photographs of his genitalia. Crouse was a teacher in the Maxwell-Collins School District at the time. The investigation did not reveal any improper behavior by Crouse toward students. Crouse has remained in custody since the time of his arrest, and was fired from his teaching position.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and 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.

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

Robert William Simet made threats against Sen. Joni Ernst

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- On January 16, 2018, Robert William Simet, age 64, of Omaha, Nebraska appeared before United States District Court Senior Judge Robert W. Pratt and pleaded guilty to Influencing or Retaliating against a Federal Official, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Simet will be sentenced by District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey on May 23, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse in Council Bluffs.

According to the plea agreement, on July 5, 2017, Simet made verbal threats against Senator Joni Ernst to employees of the Harley Davidson dealership in Pacific Junction. Senator Ernst was scheduled to participate in a motorcycle ride at the dealership on July 8, 2017.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- On January 16, 2018, Oscar Lee Hall, Jr., age 41, formerly of Nichols, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to failure to register as a sex offender, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Hall was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term, a condition of which will include continued compliance with the sex offender registration laws, and pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Hall was convicted in Michigan of criminal sexual conduct in 1998. Between November 18, 2016 and March 24, 2017, Hall returned to Iowa and failed to register and update his registration pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

This matter was investigated by the United States Marshals Service, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, and West Liberty Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa – On January 12, 2018, Joseph Richard Salcido, age 25, of West Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt to 90 months of imprisonment for carjacking a relative at gun point in April 2017, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

Salcido pled guilty on July 19, 2017, to carjacking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(1), and to the use and carry of a firearm in connection with that offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). As part of the guilty plea proceeding, Salcido admitted that he took the vehicle by force and while displaying a firearm, a Smith and Wesson 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, and that he took the police on a high-speed chase through Des Moines residential areas.

The record indicated that speeds of the chase reached 60 miles per hour and involved the running of four stop signs as Salcido eluded police in an attempt to discard controlled substances, including cocaine, and the firearm used in the carjacking. After his arrest near the 5800 block of Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, Salcido made four calls to third parties from the Polk County Jail in an attempt to retrieve the discarded controlled substances and firearm. Law enforcement ultimately retrieved both the controlled substances and firearm. Salcido's sentence was enhanced due to recklessly endangering the lives of others while eluding police and for attempting to obstruct justice.

This investigation was conducted by the West Des Moines Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On January 8, 2018, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Peter Alan Lundberg, 60, of St. Ann, Missouri, to 180 months in prison for bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Lundberg was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

On April 20, 2017, Lundberg was driven to Bank of the West in Coralville, Iowa by Bridgette Durborow of St. Peters, Missouri. Durborow waited in the car while Lundberg demanded money from a bank teller and robbed the bank. Approximately $1,080 was stolen. The two were apprehended a short time later traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near Davenport. Durborow admitted they drove around other eastern Iowa cities, including Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Iowa City, looking for a bank to rob. Peter Lundberg has two prior federal convictions for bank robbery, and one prior state robbery conviction.

Bridgette Durborow pleaded guilty on June 8, 2017. She was sentenced to 24 months in prison on October 6, 2017.

This matter was investigated by the Coralville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On January 8, 2018, Nikolai Monastyrski, age 37, of Folsom, California, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 57 months in prison for mail and wire fraud involving unemployment benefits falsely obtained from Iowa Workforce Development announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

Monastyrski, a Russian national who became a naturalized United States citizen during the fraudulent activity, pleaded guilty to seven counts of mail fraud and seven counts of wire fraud, all involving false and fraudulent applications with Iowa Workforce Development for unemployment benefits. Monastyrski falsely stated several businesses were operating in the State and employing workers. He then used the identifications of the false workers to apply for and obtain unemployment benefits. Monastyrski resided in California at the time of the fraudulent activity.

The Iowa fraud commenced in 2014 and was discovered in late 2015. Monastyrski also defrauded unemployment insurance programs in Illinois and Pennsylvania. Monastyrski was ordered to pay restitution in excess of $390,000 to the three state agencies. Monastyrski was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his period of imprisonment and to pay $1,400 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General in Chicago with assistance from Iowa Workforce Development, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Council Bluffs, Iowa – On January 5, 2018, Selena Marie Hansen, 21, of Atlantic, Iowa, appeared in federal court before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger and was sentenced to 135 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

Hansen, with her co-defendant Michael Beltran, distributed methamphetamine in Southwest Iowa from January to April 2016. The methamphetamine was imported into the United States disguised as candy. The investigation of this conspiracy began when a package of “candy” was delivered to an empty residence in Bedford, Iowa, and was recovered by law enforcement. During the course of the conspiracy, over 500 grams of methamphetamine was distributed by Hansen and Beltran in Cass, Mills, Page, and Taylor Counties in Iowa.

This investigation was conducted by the Cass, Mills, Page, and Taylor County Sheriffs’ Offices; Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force; and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Des Moines, Iowa – On December 21, 2017, sentencings were completed in the federal prosecution of twenty defendants charged with drug trafficking, money laundering, obstruction, firearms, and immigration offenses stemming from the investigation of a multi-state drug trafficking organization, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. This investigation began in March 2016 and revealed the organization was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana in the Des Moines area. Subsequent investigation consisted of controlled narcotics purchases from the organization and the execution of over twenty search warrants of residences located in Des Moines, Colorado, and California in
September 2016. All defendants charged in this investigation pleaded guilty and were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.

• Jacinto Loza Gil, 48, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 292 months
• Jonathan Escareno Chavez, 28, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 210 months
• Gumaro Escareno Chavez, 33, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 90 months
• Jairo Escareno Chavez, 27, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 71 months
• Heriberto Escareno Chavez, 34, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 108 months
• Dennis Ugarte, 28, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 46 months
• Mujo Becirovic, 26, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 73 months
• Israel Morales Flores, 33, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 63 months
• Jose Manuel Cano Basurto, 43, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 37 months
• Basman Danuvio Urbina Caceres, 42, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 100 months
• David Coos Tello, 49, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 24 months
• Marcos Caballero Ybarra, 30, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 4 months
• Hugo Plaza Garcia, 19, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of time served (4 months)
• Lee Anthony Flores Escareno, 27, sentenced to a term of probation of five years
• Jimmy Oswald Kiapas Hidalgo, 28, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 24 months
• Antonio Salazar, 48, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of time served (15 months)
• Helen Mariela Osorio Ventura, 22, sentenced to a term of probation of four years
• Oscar Corea Holt, 21, sentenced to a term of probation of three years
• Miguel Flores Torres, 39, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 8 months
• Steven A. See, 31, sentenced to a term of probation of three years

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal
Investigations, with significant assistance of numerous state and local agencies, including
Des Moines Police Department and Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Council Bluffs, Iowa – A McClelland, Iowa, businessman pleaded guilty today to tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard Zuckerman and United
States Attorney Marc Krickbaum for the Southern District of Iowa.

According to documents and information provided to the court, Michael Collins, 49, was part-owner of a real-estate development firm that earned significant income in 2006. As a result of his ownership in the company, Collins received approximately $289,000 in income that year, but did not report it on his individual income tax return. In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) contacted Collins regarding the unreported income and Collins filed an amended return reporting the income and reflecting a tax due of more than $100,000. However, Collins did not pay the tax liability.

From 2006 through the present, Collins also operated an excavating and trucking company that generated more than $5.5 million in gross receipts. To evade payment of his outstanding tax liability, Collins registered the business as well as its bank accounts in the name of nominees, used nominee entities to conceal over $5 million in gross receipts from the business, filed fraudulent corporate tax returns that listed nominees as the owners of the business and paid his personal expenses using the business’ unreported income. Collins also filed fraudulent documents with the IRS claiming to have no gross business receipts for the company and falsely told IRS employees that his only source of income was unemployment benefits. He admitted to causing a tax loss of more than $250,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 11, 2018, before United States District Court Judge
Stephanie M. Rose. Collins faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Marc
Krickbaum thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Matthew Hoffman and Lee Langston, who are prosecuting the case.

Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s Website.

DES MOINES, Iowa - Dcember 19, 2017, David Marken Aikoriegie and Myles Jordan Maricle Pena, both of Des Moines, Iowa, appeared in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer on charges related to a series of gun store burglaries in the Des Moines area, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

 

David Marken Aikoriegie is charged with three counts of theft of firearms from a federal firearm licensee and one count of unlawful possession, receipt, and sale of a stolen firearm. The Complaint alleges between the dates of November 16, 2017, and December 14, 2017, Aikoriegie burglarized and stole firearms from JLM Gun Shoppe in Urbandale and Rangemasters in Clive. It is also alleged Aikoriegie sold some of the stolen firearms.

 

Myles Jordan Maricle Pena appeared on the charge of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. The Complaint Affidavit alleges on or about December 14, 2017, Pena sold a stolen firearm to another individual. The firearm was stolen from one of the burglaries alleged to have been committed by Aikoriegie. The complaint further alleges, during the execution of a search warrant at his home, Pena was found in possession of a firearm and marijuana.

 

The public is reminded the charges are an accusation, and individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

 

This investigation is being conducted by the Clive Police Department; United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Des Moines Police Department; and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

Law enforcement request the public’s assistance in supplying any information as to the location of firearms stolen from JLM Gun Shoppe and Rangemasters. You can contact the Clive Police or the ATF.

Clive Police, during business hours    515-278-1312

Clive Police, 24/7 through Westcom  515-222-3312

ATF Tip Line 24/7      1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867)

ATF Online 24/7         https://www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips

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Learn more about this release by calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov (link sends the e-mail).

 

 

DES MOINES, Iowa – Robert Kuhn, 48, the owner of Wayback Records in West Des
Moines, Iowa, was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa on
November 28, 2017, for attempted production of child pornography. The charge is punishable by between 15 and 30 years’ incarceration in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, up to life of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture, and the requirement to comply with the Sex Offender
Registry.

On December 5, 2017, Kuhn was ordered detained pending trial. During a related state court proceeding, it was revealed that the incident occurred in August 2017, when a minor employee of Kuhn’s discovered a hidden video camera placed by him in the bathroom where he had sent her to undress and try on clothing sold by the store. During the detention hearing, it was disclosed that law enforcement also discovered videos of other females disrobing on the camera when it was recovered by law enforcement.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security-HSI is investigating the matter, and requests any people who have used the changing room / rest room at the store and believe they may have been surreptitiously recorded disrobing, or otherwise victimized, to call Special Agent Aaron
Simon at (515) 323-2425.

The charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 

DES MOINES, Iowa – On November 29, 2017, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Lony Tap Gatwas, 48, of Ames, Iowa, to 21 months in prison for wire fraud and tax fraud, and 24 months for aggravated identity theft, to be served consecutively to one another, for a total of 45 months, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Gatwas was also ordered to pay $132,585 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment, and pay $1,800 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

 

On July 26, 2017, following a jury trial, Gatwas was found guilty of four counts of wire fraud, seven counts of aggravated identity theft, and seven counts of preparing and presenting false tax returns. Gatwas operated a tax preparation business in Des Moines. As stated in the indictment, Gatwas engaged in a scheme to defraud the IRS by preparing and filing personal income tax returns listing false dependents. During trial, the government presented evidence that Gatwas placed his own children, as well as other children, on his clients’ personal income tax returns as dependents, when these children had no relationship to the taxpayers, did not live with the taxpayers, and the taxpayers provided no financial support for the children. 

 

Gatwas inflated his clients’ refunds by thousands of dollars by placing false dependents on his clients’ tax returns. Clients’ testimony established Gatwas charged them from $1,000 to $2,000 for each false dependent he put on their return. When his clients were audited, Gatwas instructed some clients to lie to IRS Revenue Agents about their relationship with the false dependents. 

 

The IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

DES MOINES, Iowa – On November 17, 2017, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Clark Wesley Betts, Jr., 41, of Urbandale, Iowa, to life imprisonment for two counts of sex trafficking of a child, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Betts was also sentenced to three, concurrent terms of 40 years’ imprisonment for three counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a person under the age of 21. Betts was ordered to pay restitution in the amounts of $349,032 to the first minor victim and $374,400 to the second minor victim. He also must pay $500 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

 

On June 8, 2017, a jury convicted Betts of the sex trafficking and drug charges, which arose from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Des Moines Police Department. Betts was convicted of providing two minor victims to Betts’s drug dealer for sex acts in exchange for crack cocaine. Betts was also convicted of providing crack cocaine to the three minor victims.

 

“Human trafficking is a crime that occurs in the shadows,” said United States Attorney Krickbaum. “Its victims are amongst the most vulnerable members of society. We depend upon all members of society to alert law enforcement where they suspect someone may be a victim of human trafficking, so that we can protect the victims and see that justice is done.”

 

Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial 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 their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaged in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Des Moines Police Department. Support services were provided by the Blank Children’s STAR Center, the Iowa Department of Human Services, and Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - On November 17, 2017, Jonathan Escareno Chavezheather Jean Reekr, 28, of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 210 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute marijuana, cocaine, and cocaine base and for money laundering, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. These sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.

 

On July 12, 2017, Escareno pleaded guilty to these charges, admitting he was engaged in the distribution of marijuana, cocaine, and cocaine base between September of 2015 and September of 2016, and had engaged in laundering drug proceeds in July of 2016. These charges stemmed from a several-month investigation of Escareno Chavez, in which numerous controlled purchases of marijuana and cocaine were made from him. Law enforcement agents also intercepted Escareno Chavez’s wire and electronic communications, which permitted them to identify a broad network of over 20 persons engaged in the distribution of controlled substances in the Des Moines area.

 

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, with significant assistance of numerous other federal, state, and local agencies, including the Des Moines Police Department and Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

DES MOINES, Iowa – On November 17, 2017, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Raymond Lee Rhodeman, 39, of Des Moines, Iowa, to 70 months imprisonment for assault upon a federal officer and felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Upon his release from imprisonment, Rhodeman will serve three years of supervised release. Rhodeman was also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and $380 of restitution. 

 

As part of his guilty plea, Rhodeman admitted to fighting, resisting and forcibly assaulting two federal officers during an investigation in November of 2015. Rhodeman, a previously convicted felon, also admitted to unlawfully possessing a Model M-11, 9 mm handgun at the Centerville, Iowa, residence where he was staying in February of 2016.   

 

On August 31, 2017, Judge Rose previously sentenced Rhodeman’s co-defendant, Melissa Renee Zanders, 45, of Centerville to 67 months imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm. As part of her guilty plea, Zanders, a previously convicted felon, admitted to unlawfully possessing a 9 mm handgun at the same Centerville residence in February of 2016.

 

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the South Central Iowa Drug Task Force. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

-END-

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

 

 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – This supplemental release to the previously distributed November 8, 2017, release, “Fentanyl Overdose Case Sentenced,” seeks to clarify the charges upon which each defendant has been sentenced. 

 

Charles Jesse Beuterbaugh, 30, of Pottawattamie County, Dustin C. Sullivan, 27, of Council Bluffs, and, Cody Lanus, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, were each convicted of conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance, which resulted in the reasonably foreseeable death of a 20-year-old male and serious bodily injury to another male. 

 

Michael David Redmond, Jr., 22, of Council Bluffs, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance.

 

All defendants charged in this case have entered guilty pleas. To date, United States Senior District Court Judge James E. Gritzner has sentenced Beuterbaugh to 240 months in prison; Sullivan to 162 months in prison; Lanus to 144 months in prison; and, Redmond, Jr. to 120 months in prison. Amanda N. Pandis and Walter John O’Donohue, III are scheduled to be sentenced in February of 2018.  

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                             -END-

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA - On November 7, 2017, United States Senior District Court Judge James E. Gritzner sentenced Charles Jesse Beuterbaugh, 30, of Pottawattamie County, to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute a fentanyl analogue that caused death or serious bodily injury, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Beuterbaugh will serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Beuterbaugh was part of a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for receiving and distributing fentanyl analogues obtained from a source in China to users in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska.

The investigation into the drug trafficking group began on June 28, 2015, when law enforcement was called to a Carter Lake, Iowa, residence regarding an unresponsive male. Law enforcement found the body of a 20-year-old male in Beuterbaugh’s living area. In addition, law enforcement learned that a second male had been transported to a local hospital from the Beuterbaugh residence prior to law enforcement being called, and had been placed on life support.

The investigation revealed that Beuterbaugh had provided "acetyl fentanyl" to both victims, which was determined to be the cause of death of the 20-year-old male, and the reason for the hospitalization for the second male. Beuterbaugh had obtained the acetyl fentanyl through an organization that began distributing fentanyl, or an analogue of fentanyl, in November of 2014 and continued to distribute in April of 2016. All members involved in the distribution of the acetyl fentanyl have entered guilty pleas.

On October 26, 2017, Senior Judge James E. Gritzner sentenced Beuterbaughs’ co-defendants, Dustin C. Sullivan, 27, of Council Bluffs, to 162 months in prison, and Cody Lanus, 31 of Omaha, Nebraska, to 144 months in prison. Both Sullivan and Lanus were also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment.

Michael David Redmond, Jr. was previously sentenced by Senior Judge James E. Gritzner to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Redmond, Jr., Sullivan, and Lanus were also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Amalia N. Pandis and Walter John O’Donohue, III are pending sentencing in February of 2018.

This investigation was conducted by the Carter Lake Police Department, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, the Omaha, Nebraska, Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in Nebraska. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

-END-

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On November 7, 2017, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Michael W. Kennedy, a.k.a. Ian Curtis, 49, of Monticello, Minnesota, to 170 months in prison for distribution of visual depiction of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Kennedy was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release following his imprisonment, pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and comply with the Sex Offender Registry Requirements upon release.

On May 18, 2017, Kennedy pled guilty to the charges, which arose from an investigation initiated by the University of Iowa Police Department. As stated in the plea agreement, Kennedy was a patient at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinic in Iowa City. While there, hospital staff thought Kennedy was taking photographs of female staff with his tablet, which is against written hospital policy. The staff confiscated his electronic devices and saw what appeared to be multiple images of child pornography. A forensic examination was conducted which showed that Kennedy was posing as a young male and trading child pornography videos with others through multiple social media applications on his tablet while he was a hospital patient.

This matter was investigated by University of Iowa Police Department, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

-END-

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

The public returns record number of potentially dangerous prescription drugs

 

WASHINGTON – Americans nationwide did their part to reduce the opioid crisis by bringing the DEA and its more than 4,200 local and tribal law enforcement partners a record-setting 912,305 pounds—456 tons—of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites. That is almost six tons more than was collected at last spring’s event. This brings the total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 to 9,015,668 pounds, or 4,508 tons.

 

DEA’s St. Louis Division, which covers Missouri, Southern Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, collected 76,294 pounds—38 tons of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for disposal at its more than 500 collection sites. Iowa’s 112 sites received a total of 11,526 pounds of drugs.

 

Now in its eighth year, this event continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they could be stolen and abused by family members and visitors, including children and teens. The DEA action comes just days after President Donald J. Trump announced the mobilization of his entire Administration to address drug addiction and opioid abuse by directing the declaration of a Nationwide Public Health Emergency to address the opioids crisis.

 

“More people start down the path of addiction through the misuse of opioid prescription drugs than any other substance. The abuse of these prescription drugs has fueled the nation’s opioid epidemic, which has led to the highest rate of overdose deaths this country has ever seen,” said Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “This is a crisis that must be addressed from multiple angles.  Educating the public and removing these medications from households across the Unites States prevents misuse where it often starts.”

 

This year, DEA worked with its tribal law enforcement partners to set up 115 collection sites on tribal lands. Opioid addiction impacts Native American communities just as it does all parts of American society. By partnering with FBI, BIA, and tribal law enforcement, the DEA was able to greatly expand tribal participation in the Take Back program. DEA remains committed to supporting public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  

 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—posed potential safety and health hazards.

 

Helping people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce the addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country due to opioid medications. 

 

Complete results for DEA’s fall Take Back Day are available at www.deatakeback.com. DEA’s next Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 28, 2018.

             

-END-

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

 

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On November 2, 2017, Trevor Graves, 19, a former University of Iowa student, appeared in federal court in front of United States Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson, Jr., on a complaint charging from March of 2015 to November of 2016, Graves exceeded authorized access, knowingly caused the transmission of a code and command, and intentionally caused damage and loss that exceeded $5,000 to a University of Iowa protected computer, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

 

The complaint alleges that while an Iowa student, Graves exceeded his authorized access to the University of Iowa computer network, changed grades, and obtained copies of exams for himself and others. Graves was released on conditions of pretrial release pending further proceedings.

 

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the University of Iowa’s Department of Public Safety. This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

           

The public is reminded that the charges are an accusation, and individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - On October 20, 2017, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Alex Trent VanderVeer, 21, of Knoxville, Iowa, heather Jean Reekrto 136 months in prison for enticement and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activities, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. VanderVeer will serve 30 years of supervised release following imprisonment and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. 

VanderVeer pled guilty to the charges on June 21, 2017. As part of his plea, VanderVeer admitted that approximately between February 20, and through approximately February 23, 2017, he used a facility of interstate commerce, namely the internet and internet-based services, to violate the federal statute. VanderVeer further admitted that he knowingly used the facility of interstate commerce with the intent to persuade or entice a 14-year-old female to engage in illegal sexual activity, namely sexual intercourse with an adult more than four years older. VanderVeer is awaiting trial in Jasper County on charges of sexual abuse of a 13-year-old minor.

 

This matter was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Office of the Inspector General, Marion County Attorney’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Jasper County Attorney’s Office, Newton Police Department, and Mid Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force.   

 

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 24-hour Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) also operates a Cyber Tip line at www.cybertipline.com that allows parents and children to report child pornography and other incidents of sexual exploitation of children by submitting an online form. 

 

NCMEC also maintains a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST, and a website at www.missingkids.com. Complaints received by NCMEC that indicate a violation of federal law are referred to the law enforcement for appropriate action.

 

 

-END-

 

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - On October 31, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Travis Wayne Clark, 27, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, heather Jean Reekrto 60 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and a consecutive 60 months for possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking offense, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Clark will serve four years of supervised release following imprisonment.

 

Clark entered a guilty plea to the two charges on June 5, 2017. The convictions resulted from an investigation that began with a traffic stop conducted by Council Bluffs Police Department. Located in a vehicle that Clark was driving was methamphetamine, approximately $1,000, along with methamphetamine distribution paraphernalia. In addition, law enforcement found a loaded 9mm handgun on Clark. 

 

This matter was investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. 

 

-END-

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

DES MOINES, Iowa – On October 23, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge A. Jarvey sentenced Carlton Wayne Jones, 39, of Des Moines, Iowa, to 40 months in prison for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Jones was also ordered to serve 20 years of supervised release following imprisonment and to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. 

 

Jones pled guilty to the charge. As part of his plea, Jones admitted he knowingly possessed numerous computer files that contained visual depictions between January 31, 2016, and approximately February 4, 2016. He also knew that the visual depictions were of minors, including prepubescent minors, engaging in sexually explicit conduct; and, the computer files containing the visual depictions were produced using materials that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Jones possessed these visual depictions in the Southern District of Iowa.   

 

This matter was investigated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigations and its Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and 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 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 24-hour Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821. 

 

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) also operates a Cyber Tip line at www.cybertipline.com that allows parents and children to report child pornography and other incidents of sexual exploitation of children by submitting an online form. The NCMEC also maintains a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST, and a website at www.missingkids.com.

 

Complaints received by the NCMEC that indicate a violation of federal law are referred to the FBI for appropriate action. The FBI can also accept tips at 1800-CALL FBI.

 

-END- 

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

 

DES MOINES, Iowa – On Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Des Moines Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other participating law enforcement agencies will give the public its 14th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches.  The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have collected over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.

This initiative addresses vital public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.  In addition, flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash create separate potential safety and health hazards.

For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day website at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city, or state.

 

-END-

 

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On October 23, 2017, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Darrell Rasean Ratliff, age 28, of Davenport, Iowa, to 120 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Ratliff was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following imprisonment and to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. 

On April 14, 2017, Ratliff pled guilty to the charge. As part of his plea, Ratliff admitted he knowingly possessed a Ruger LCP .380 pistol with an attached extended magazine on September 23, 2016. Ratliff was prohibited from firearm possession due to multiple prior felony convictions from Scott County.

 

This charge resulted from a Davenport Police investigation. On September 23, 2016, Davenport Police Department members executed a search warrant at a residence on West 61st Street; they found and seized the Ruger pistol with an extended magazine.

 

This matter was investigated by the Davenport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

 

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On Monday, October 23, 2017, and Tuesday, October 24, 2017, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Burlington residents Robert Perkins, Sheldon William Krogmeier, and Victor Lamont Tate for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

 

Perkins, 46, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment. Krogmeier, 44, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute at least five grams of methamphetamine and ordered to serve four years of supervised release following his imprisonment. Tate, 46, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment. All three were also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

 

Between May and June of this year, Perkins, Krogmeier, and Tate all pled guilty to the charges, which arose from an investigation of individuals selling methamphetamine in the Burlington area. Beginning in or about June of 2016 and continuing until on or about September 28, 2016, Perkins, Krogmeier, Tate, and others sold approximately 500 grams of ice methamphetamine to individuals in Burlington, including to an undercover officer. On September 28, 2016, law enforcement executed numerous search warrants in this investigation, seizing ice methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, prescription pills, and three firearms.   

 

This case was investigated by the Burlington Police Department, Johnson County Drug Task Force, Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

 

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On October 19 and 20, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Muscatine residents, Danielle Graves, 35, to 135 months in prison, Nathan Wagner, 36, to 300 months in prison, and Charles Rhoades, 39, to 106 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Graves and Rhoades were ordered to serve three years of supervised release following their imprisonment, Wagner was ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment, and all three defendants were ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. 

On May 31, 2017, Rhoades pled guilty to methamphetamine conspiracy charges arising from individuals transporting methamphetamine from Des Moines to Muscatine and distributing it in southeast Iowa. The plea agreement stated that Rhoades distributed approximately seven grams of methamphetamine and also possessed with the intent to distribute over 100 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Nichols.

 

On June 2, 2017, Graves and Wagner pled guilty to methamphetamine conspiracy charges; they distributed approximately 25 to 30 pounds of methamphetamine from Des Moines to Muscatine. The conspiracy involved the defendants’ agreement to distribute the methamphetamine throughout the Muscatine area and the surrounding communities. 

 

This matter was investigated by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force, the Des Moines Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On October 19, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Lorenzo Jones, age 32, of Iowa City, Iowa, to 135 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine base with the intent to distribute, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Jones was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment and pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. The firearm involved in the offense was forfeited.        

On January 7, 2017, a traffic stop was conducted in Iowa City. As a result of the stop, Jones was found in possession a stolen, loaded Diamondback .380 semi-automatic handgun and 10 baggies of cocaine base that he intended to distribute.

           

Jones has at least two prior felony convictions.

 

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Davenport Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

-END-

 

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On October 16, 2017, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Anthony McKinley Harris, 27, of Davenport, Iowa, to 175 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin and 120 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. McKinley was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund for both counts.

 

On March 27, 2017, McKinley pled guilty to the charges, which arose from an investigation of McKinley selling heroin. Beginning in February of 2016 and continuing until April 6, 2016, McKinley sold heroin to numerous individuals in the Davenport area, including a confidential informant working for law enforcement. In total, over 100 grams of heroin were attributed to McKinley. During that time period, law enforcement executed search warrants at McKinley’s residence and a hotel room where he was staying. Law enforcement seized numerous items, including over six grams of heroin, a loaded .380 semi-automatic Lorcin, and approximately $1,900. McKinley has a prior felony conviction for manufacturing/delivery of cocaine and six prior felony convictions for residential burglary.

 

This matter was investigated by the Davenport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

-END-

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - On October 11, 2017, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Matthew P. Goodside, 32, of Shelby, Iowa, to 63 months in prison for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Goodside was also ordered to serve ten years of supervised release following his imprisonment and comply with Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act requirements. 

 

Federal and state authorities began investigating Goodside in July of 2014 regarding the suspected distribution of synthetic marijuana from his residence in Avoca, Iowa. During a search warrant that was conducted at the Avoca residence in January of 2015, several laptops and pieces of computer equipment were recovered. A later forensic examination of the computers revealed the presence of several images and videos reflecting child pornography that had been downloaded using a peer-to-peer file sharing program.

 

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Avoca Police Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Taskforce. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

-END-

 

 

Learn more about this release by calling Kevin E. VanderSchel at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Kevin.VanderSchel@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

DAVENPORT, IA – On Friday, October 6, 2017, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Bridgette Durborow, 48, of St. Peters, Missouri, to 24 months in prison for Bank Robbery, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Durborow was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following her imprisonment and pay $100 to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

On June 8, 2017, Durborow pleaded guilty to the charges, which arose from an investigation of the robbery immediately after it occurred. Durborow admitted that she drove Peter Lundberg to the Bank of the West in Coralville, Iowa, on April 20, 2017. Durborow waited in the car while Lundberg robbed the bank, taking approximately $1,080. The two were apprehended a short time later traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near Davenport. Durborow admitted that the two drove around other eastern Iowa cities, including Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Iowa City, looking for a bank to rob.

Peter Lundberg pleaded guilty on September 1, 2017. He will be sentenced on January 8, 2018, at 1:00pm.

This matter was investigated by the Coralville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa – On October 4, 2017, Victor Van Cleave appeared for his arraignment on federal charges in U.S. District Court in Des Moines, Iowa, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. A federal grand jury has returned a two-count indictment against Van Cleave, charging him with tampering with consumer products, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1365(a)(4), and obtaining fentanyl by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(a)(3).

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation, and individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

DAVENPORT, Iowa - On September 21, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Michael Scott Parker, 32, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, to 80 months in prison after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Parker was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. 

 

On August 28, 2016, Davenport police responded to a disturbance call and encountered Parker, who attempted to flee while in possession of a loaded Taurus .38 caliber revolver. 

 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Davenport Police Department conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

-END-

 

Learn more about this release by calling Jason T. Griess at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Jason.Griess2@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On September 19, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Ivan Antonio Cervantes, age 31, of Denison, Iowa, to 70 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Cervantes will also serve four years of supervised release following his imprisonment, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel.

 

As part of his guilty plea, Cervantes admitted to possessing with the intent to distribute nearly 15 grams of pure methamphetamine when his vehicle was stopped south of Harlan in Shelby County, Iowa, in December of 2016. Cervantes further admitted three underage children were in the vehicle when he possessed the methamphetamine. 

 

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Jason T. Griess at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Jason.Griess2@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - On September 18, 2017, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced John C. Gundersen Jr., 52, of Omaha, Nebr., heather Jean Reekrto 72 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute some or all of it, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel.

  

Gundersen entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 1, 2017. Gundersen was contacted by law enforcement at a traffic stop on June 2, 2016, and had active warrants for his arrest. He was arrested, and a vehicle search located methamphetamine, which Gunderson intended to distribute to other people, along with over $1,000 in cash. 

  

The Missouri Valley Police Department and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. 

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Jason T. Griess at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Jason.Griess2@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

 

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - On September 18, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Alexander Hamilton, 26, heather Jean Reekrof Des Moines, Iowa, to 190 months in prison for robbery and drug charges related to a string of armed robberies in 2016 of Git-N-Go, Kum & Go, Hy-Vee, and U.S. Bank, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Hamilton pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and conspiracy to distribute hydromorphone (Dilaudid) in April of 2017.

 

As a part of his plea agreement, Hamilton admitted he committed the following 17 robberies charged in the indictment:

 

Date

Count

Business

Location

3/21/16

3

Git-N-Go

4224 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA

3/22/16

4

Git-N-Go

100 Watrous, Des Moines, IA

3/23/16

6

Kum & Go

4506 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA

3/23/16

7

Git-N-Go

816 E. Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA

3/24/16

8

Git-N-Go

2601 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA

3/29/16

10

Kum & Go

4506 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA (attempt)

3/30/16

11

Kum & Go

5830 S.E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA

3/30/16

12

Git-N-Go

890 County Line Road, Des Moines, IA

3/31/16

13

Git-N-Go

2601 S.W. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA

4/3/16

14

Git-N-Go

4224 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA

4/5/16

15

Git-N-Go

2911 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA

4/6/16

16

Hy-Vee

2540 E. Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA

4/8/16

17

Hy-Vee

2540 E. Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA

4/11/16

18

Git-N-Go

865 42nd Street, Des Moines, IA

4/12/16

19

Git-N-Go

2911 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA

4/13/16

20

U.S. Bank

2500 E. Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA

4/17/16

23

Hy-Vee

1107 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA

 

 

Hamilton also admitted he obtained hydromorphone (Dilaudid) from co-defendant Luke Martin Jr., and distributed it to others, including co-defendants Sarah Coe, Shelly Avery, and Chris Avery. Hamilton admitted the robberies helped fund the drug conspiracy.

 

The following co-defendants have been previously sentenced to the months indicated in parentheses: Martin (151 months); Chris Avery (36 months); and, Shelly Avery (30 months). Sentencing of Sarah Coe is pending.

 

The Des Moines Police Department, Ames Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Jason T. Griess at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Jason.Griess2@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

Other components include:  The Des Moines and Ames Police Departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosives.

 

Williams shot victim at drug deal in Ames, Iowa

DES MOINES, IA – On September 12, 2017, Kevin Darnell Williams, also known as “Splash,” 24, was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison for the crimes of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, robbery, discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Sentence was imposed by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey. Williams was convicted of these crimes by a jury on April 20, 2017.

According to evidence presented at trial, Williams set up a marijuana deal with the victim in Ames. Once the two met, on August 9, 2016, the drug deal turned into a robbery, and Williams shot the victim four times. Williams was apprehended by law enforcement in Chicago several days after the shooting.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Central Iowa Gang Task Force, the Ames Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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Learn more about this release by calling Jason T. Griess at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Jason.Griess@usdoj.gov.

 

 

 

 

Council Bluffs, IA- On September 5, 2017, James Lee Palmer, a 56 year-old resident of Missouri Valley, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger, to 120 months in prison for possession of child pornography announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Palmer’s term of imprisonment is to be followed by ten years of supervised release.

On April 20, 2017, Palmer entered a guilty plea to a federal indictment charging Palmer with possession of child pornography on or about May 11, 2016. The charge was the result of an investigation into the posting of an image depicting child pornography upon a cloud based storage service. Law enforcement followed up with a search warrant of Palmer’s residence and located computers that contained over 300 of images of child pornography.

The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Missouri Valley, Iowa Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On September 5, 2017, William Henry Adkins, 65, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 360 months in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and firearms offenses, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Co-defendant Windy Marie Hannon, 40, also of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by Judge Ebinger on August 9, 2017, to 150 months in prison for her role in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

On April 17, 2017, Adkins proceeded to a jury trial and was found guilty on all counts -- conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Co-defendant Hannon previously entered a plea of guilty on April 4, 2017.

Evidence at trial proved Adkins was responsible for conspiring to distribute over 2,300 grams of methamphetamine. Upon his arrest on federal charges in January 2017, Adkins was found in possession of methamphetamine, scales, baggies, drug ledgers, a loaded .40 caliber handgun, and deposit receipts totaling over $32,000.

This investigation was conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, which consists of the Council Bluffs Police Department, Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted with the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, IA – Peter Lundberg, 60, of St. Ann, Missouri, pled guilty to one count of bank robbery in United States District Court on September 1, 2017, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel.

 

During his plea, Lundberg admitted to robbing Bank of the West in Coralville, Iowa, on April 20, 2017. Lundberg stole approximately $1,080 from the bank, which law enforcement later recovered.

 

Sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. Lundberg faces a maximum prison term of 20 years, and/or a fine up to $250,000; and, up to five years of supervised release. A mandatory special assessment of $100 per count will also be imposed.

 

The Coralville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

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Learn more about this release by calling Jason T. Griess at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Jason.Griess@usdoj.gov.

 

DAVENPORT, IA – On August 30, 2017, Bradley James Ries, 51, the owner of the Sure Shot Gun Shop in Clinton, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to two concurrent six-month prison terms for the transfer of a firearm without a National Instant Criminal Background Check, and knowingly making a false statement required by firearms law, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Ries will serve one year of supervised release following his imprisonment, to include an additional six months of home confinement, a $5,500 fine, and a $50 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund. At sentencing, Judge Goodgame Ebinger emphasized these violations were more than just bookkeeping errors, and were knowing violations of federal firearms laws.

 

On December 20, 2014, Ries submitted a firearm transfer request using the National Instant Background Check System (NICS). Licensed dealers are required to have purchasers fill out Form 4473 prior to submitting a NICS request under federal firearms regulations. Knowing the purported purchaser was a felon, Ries failed to have the purchaser fill out a Form 4473 for the firearm purchase. Although NICS denied the transaction, Ries called and informed the felon he could purchase firearms. On February 4, 2015, a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agent contacted Ries and requested the required Form 4473 transaction. Ries falsely claimed gun bluing chemical was spilled on the form.

 

In April of 2015, ATF conducted a federal firearms compliance inspection at Sure Shot and noted several violations. In September of 2015, ATF held a warning conference in Des Moines and again discussed these violations with Ries.

 

On November 4, 2015, Ries sold a Taurus Circuit Judge .45/.410 caliber rifle to a prohibited person. Ries transferred the firearm prior to obtaining sale authorization from NICS. NICS denied the purchase based on the buyer having a no contact order, which prohibited this buyer from purchasing firearms under federal law. When contacted by an ATF agent on or about December 14, 2015, Ries falsely claimed the firearm transfer to this buyer involved a Remington 870 20-gauge shotgun. Ries also faxed certain pages of a purported Form 4473 for an apparent Remington 870 20-gauge shotgun purchase by this buyer, but the form’s information was false.

 

In January of 2016, Ries directed the prohibited buyer of the Taurus Circuit Judge .45/.410 caliber rifle to provide false information to the ATF. In February of 2016, after being warned by an ATF agent it was a federal crime to make a false statement to the agent, Ries again falsely stated this buyer wanted to purchase a Remington 870 shotgun and was upset when the transaction was denied. In April of 2016, after a search warrant at Sure Shot, Ries admitted he had lied to federal agents.

 

As part of his plea agreement, and as ordered by the District Court as a supervised release condition, Ries agreed to: surrender his Federal Firearm’s License (FFL), and to not reapply for a FFL, or serve as a responsible person or officer of any federal firearm’s licensee; not apply through any individuals or corporations presently holding any listed licenses, through the officers or directors of such corporations, or through any surrogates acting on behalf of any entities or individuals holding the license; and, not to deal in firearms or obtain employment with a business whose primary business is the sale, distribution, use, or firing of firearms following the surrender of his FFL or aid, abet or otherwise conspire with others to actually or constructively possess firearms or ammunition.

 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

-END-

 

Learn more about this release by calling Jason Griess at 515-473-9300, or by emailing him at Jason.Griess@usdoj.gov.