Northern District of Iowa
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Dubuque Woman Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl that Caused OverdoseRead the Press Release
A woman who distributed fentanyl to a man who overdosed pled guilty on October 14, 2021, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Emily Ann Nelson, age 29, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of distribution of fentanyl.
Evidence at a prior hearing showed that Nelson distributed a substance that was supposedly heroin to another person in July 2020. That person used the substance, which turned out to be fentanyl, and overdosed, nearly dying. First responders were able to revive the other individual using the opioid antidote, Narcan. At the plea hearing, Nelson admitted she distributed the fentanyl to the person who overdosed. The day after the overdose incident, a confidential informant working with the Dubuque Drug Task Force contacted Nelson to purchase heroin. Nelson stole the money she was supposed to use to get the drugs. About two weeks later, the confidential informant again contacted Nelson to obtain heroin. This time, Nelson obtained the drugs as agreed, but used a portion of the drugs before she could be arrested by officers.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Nelson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Nelson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21‑CR‑01009‑CJW‑MAR.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a HandgunRead the Press Release
A convicted felon who unlawfully possessed a handgun was sentenced today to six years in federal prison.
Mitchell Berry, age 29, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 22, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence at sentencing showed that Berry was in a car stopped by Waterloo police officers on December 31, 2019. Officers found a handgun in the car. Berry’s DNA was found on the trigger and the magazine of the gun.
Berry has six prior adult criminal convictions. Two of the convictions involved firearms. In 2012, he was convicted of carrying weapons, specifically a .22 caliber handgun. In 2015, he was convicted of conspiracy to intimidate with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm as a felon.
Berry was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Berry was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Berry is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-2032.
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Woodbury County Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty October 12, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Matthew Sandoval, 28, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. At the plea hearing, Sandoval admitted that between on or about 2016 and continuing to on or about June 2021, he and others conspired to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Sandoval remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Sandoval faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4059.
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Possessing over a Kilogram of Meth and Guns Leads to More Than Two Decades in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Taylor James Kruckenberg, age 29, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 15, 2021 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In a plea agreement, Kruckenberg admitted that in February 2020, law enforcement officers searched Kruckenberg’s car and recovered methamphetamine, $7,000, and a handgun. On the same date, officers recovered over 1,600 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded shotgun from his residence. At sentencing, the court found that Kruckenberg possessed the firearms in connection with his drug trafficking. Kruckenberg had previous felony convictions for possession of a firearm as a felon, trafficking in stolen firearms, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.
Kruckenberg was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Kruckenberg was sentenced to 277 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Kruckenberg is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Alex Geocaris and Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tri-County Drug Taskforce, the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cedar Falls Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-cr-2038.
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Missing Person Investigation Results in Three Convictions and a Life SentenceRead the Press Release
A man who robbed and murdered another man was sentenced today to life in federal prison.
Matthew Barrett Robbins, age 49, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 3, 2021 jury verdict finding him guilty of robbery affecting interstate commerce, conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce, and using a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in a death that constitutes murder.
Evidence at trial showed that Robbins was a methamphetamine user who became unhappy with the quality of methamphetamine distributed by his source of supply. Robbins, along with Danielle Busch and William Leo Yancey, concocted a plan to lure his drug dealer to a rural farmhouse outside of Ely. Once at the farmhouse, Robbins used a sawed-off shotgun to rob the victim of a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine and approximately $150. During the robbery, Robbins’ firearm discharged, killing the victim. Robbins then took steps to dismember and conceal the body by burning it in a burn pit in his back yard. Robbins then discarded the ashes in the Cedar River.
Robbins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Robbins was sentenced to life in prison. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release if ever released from prison. There is no parole in the federal system. While announcing sentence, Chief Judge Strand said Robbins was “the poster child for a life sentence given the facts of this case and what the jury has found in this case. Mr. Robbins absolutely deserves a life sentence.”
Busch and Yancey were previously sentenced on September 15, 2021. Busch was sentenced to 120 months’ and one day imprisonment. She must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Yancey was sentenced to 400 months’ imprisonment. Yancey is currently serving a 188-month prison term for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine and will begin serving this sentence once he finishes serving that term of imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.
“Matthew Robbins’ criminal conduct resulted in a tragic death. The hard work and team effort by the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation ensured he would be held accountable for his crimes. Robbins earned every day of the life sentence the court imposed today,” said Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry. “The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously prosecuting those who mix drugs, guns, and violence.”
Robbins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa C. Williams and Emily K. Nydle and was investigated by the Marion Police Department, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Iowa City Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Davenport Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Daytona Beach Shores Florida Police Department. Assistance was also provided by the Waypoint Services Survivor's Program in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-53.
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Man Sentenced to Federal Prison Again After Conviction for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who previously was convicted of a federal drug trafficking offense was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison.
Michael Wayne Bailey, age 43, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 16, 2021 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after having been convicted of a serious drug felony.
At the guilty plea, Bailey admitted he was involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine beginning in late 2019 and continuing to March 2020. Baily was previously convicted in 2007 of federal conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of marijuana charges.
Bailey was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Bailey was sentenced to 153 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Bailey is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-cr-78.
Dubuque Felon Back to Federal Prison After Escaping, Illegally Possessing Another FirearmRead the Press Release
A felon who escaped from a Waterloo halfway house following a federal gun conviction and was later found with a stolen firearm was sentenced on October 14, 2021, to more than five years in federal prison.
Nicholas Cameron Anderson, age 32, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 29, 2021 guilty plea to one count of escape from custody and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Court records show that Anderson pled guilty in 2016 in the Northern District of Iowa to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced in 2017 to 63 months in federal prison. While Anderson was still a federal inmate serving that sentence, he was housed at a residential re-entry center in Waterloo, Iowa. In September 2020, Anderson left custody without authorization after being arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia in the Waterloo facility. He was found in January 2021 in Dubuque after he kicked in a woman’s door following an argument over a cell phone. Police found him in a nearby apartment. He had hidden a stolen handgun on the back porch of the apartment, where it was found by the officers. In addition to the federal firearm conviction, Anderson had previously been convicted of three other felonies in state court in Dubuque: theft from a person in 2007; burglary in the third degree in 2007; and escape in 2009.
Anderson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Anderson was sentenced to 69 total months’ imprisonment, comprised of 69 months’ imprisonment for the firearm charge and 60 concurrent months’ imprisonment for the escape. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Anderson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-1010-CJW. Anderson’s prior federal case file number was 16-CR-01030-1-LRR.
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Escape from Halfway House Results in Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who escaped from a Residential Reentry Center where he was completing a federal prison sentence was sentenced today to an additional 11 months in federal prison.
Dante Glinn, age 28, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 8, 2021 guilty plea to one count of escape from federal custody.
At the guilty plea, Glinn admitted that on June 21, 2016, he was convicted for theft of a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer and received a 78-month prison sentence. Beginning August 25, 2020, Glinn was moved to the Gerald R. Hinzman Residential Center to complete his federal prison sentence. On September 30, 2020, Glinn signed out of the facility on an authorized pass to go to work and never returned. The United States Marshal’s Service subsequently located and arrested Glinn on May 5, 2021.
Glinn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Glinn was sentenced to 11 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Glinn is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and investigated by United States Marshal’s Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-00084.
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Waterloo Shooting Results in Federal ConvictionRead the Press Release
A Waterloo man who exchanged gunfire with others in the 900 block of West Fifth Street in Waterloo, Iowa, on July 31, 2020, pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Tony Terrell Campbell, age 37, from Waterloo was convicted of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
At the plea hearing, Campbell admitted he had a firearm on July 31, 2020, and had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses including three burglary offenses, theft of lottery tickets, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, and assault while participating in a felony.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Campbell remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Campbell faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and was investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-2050. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Media AdvisoryRead the Press Release
On October 15, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Matthew Robbins will be sentenced in federal district court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following his convictions at trial for robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in murder.
On October 15, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office and law enforcements agencies involved in the investigation will hold a press conference at the United States Attorney’s Office in the federal courthouse, 111 Seventh Ave SE, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to discuss Robbins’ sentencing.
Event Details
When: October 15, 2021
Where: Cedar Rapids Federal Courthouse (United States Attorney’s Office), 111 Seventh Ave. SE
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Press releases and interview opportunities will be available.
To RSVP, please email Tony Morfitt at [email protected] or call 319-363-6333.
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Drug User Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
A man involved in a traffic incident where two drivers called police on each other was sentenced October 12, 2021, to more than three years in federal prison.
Trever Carl Christopherson, age 32, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 25, 2021 guilty plea to being a drug user in possession of a firearm.
Christopherson was involved in a traffic incident on January 1, 2020, during which he and the other driver reported each other to police. While investigating the incident, officers recovered a gun in Christopherson’s car. Christopherson admitted during his plea hearing that he was a methamphetamine user at the time. Christopherson was convicted of felony theft and extortion relating to separate incidents following the recovery of the firearm. During a separate investigation, Christopherson was found in possession of a shotgun. Christopherson had sawed‑off a portion of the barrel of the shotgun.
Christopherson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Christopherson was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Christopherson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the North Liberty Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-cr-48.
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Convicted Felon Connected to Multiple Guns Sentenced to over Six Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A convicted felon who unlawfully possessed a gun was sentenced October 12, 2021, to more than six years in federal prison.
Wonyae Black, age 24, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Information at sentencing showed that between March and June 2020, Black was connected to three incidents involving guns. First, in March 2020, Black, while armed with a handgun, kicked down the door of a residence, pointed a gun at the occupant, and stole property from the residence. Second, in June 2020, a gun was recovered at the scene of a shooting in Waterloo. Black’s fingerprint was found on a round of ammunition in the gun.
Third, on June 18, 2020, officers from the Waterloo Police Department attempted to stop the car Black was driving. Rather than stop, Black fled, reaching speeds more than 25 mph over the speed limit. Black eventually crashed into another occupied car, sending both cars careening into a tree. The tree fell over and landed on two unoccupied cars. No one was hurt. Black got out of his car and fled on foot. Officers caught up to him and saw that his hands were over the top of a fence. On the other side of the fence, officers found a bag containing a handgun and marijuana.
Black has multiple prior criminal convictions, including convictions for assault causing bodily injury, carrying weapons, theft, interference with official acts, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Black was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Black was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime
Black is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and was investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-2043.
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Seven-Time Felon Who Possessed Firearm and Crack Pleads Guilty to Federal CrimesRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm and possessed crack cocaine he intended to distribute pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Patrick Green, age 50, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base, which is also known as crack cocaine.
At the plea hearing, Green admitted that he illegally possessed the firearm in July 2017 and that he possessed the crack in October 2018. Green had previously been convicted of seven felonies, including four drug felonies, two armed robberies, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Green remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Green faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Dubuque Drug Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR‑19‑1018‑CJW‑MAR.
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Bellevue Man Who Spent Cattle Loan Funds on Gambling Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who spent federal loan money intended for the purchase of cattle on his personal expenses, including gambling and alcohol, was sentenced on October 4, 2021, to ten months in federal prison.
Briar Robert Detwiler, age 26, from Bellevue, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 23, 2021 guilty plea to one count of conversion of property pledged to a farm credit agency.
Information from a plea agreement and at sentencing showed that the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency approved Detwiler’s loan request for $50,000 to purchase fifty beef calves in December 2017. Detwiler then requested a disbursement of $9,000 of the funds, falsely stating that the money was for the purchase of cattle. Detwiler immediately spent the $9,000 on construction materials for his personal residence. Detwiler then asked for the remaining $41,000 of loan funds. Of these funds, Detwiler spent $32,230.08 on 35 head of cattle. Detwiler spent the remaining funds on gambling, bars, and food. In October and November 2018, Detwiler sold 22 head of the cattle for $33,976.41. As Detwiler later admitted, instead making any repayment towards the loan, Detwiler spent all of the proceeds he received from the cattle sales in a casino and in bars.
Detwiler was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Detwiler was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $52,684.38 in restitution to the Farm Service Agency. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Detwiler was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on October 18, 2021.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-1021.
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Sheldon Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
A Sheldon man who sold large amounts of methamphetamine he received through the mail pled guilty on October 7, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Scott Demers, age 39, from Sheldon, Iowa was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Demers admitted to receiving large quantities of methamphetamine through the mail and redistributing it. Demers also admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of trafficking methamphetamine.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Demers remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. For conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Demers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment. For possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Demers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office; the Sioux City Police Department; the South Sioux City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4019.
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South Dakota Man Who Served as an Arsenal for Individuals Involved in Criminal Activity Sent to Federal Prison for Conspiring to Possess Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
A man who conspired with others to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes was sentenced October 6, 2021 to four years in federal prison.
Brandon Christiansen, age 40, from McCook, Lake, South Dakota, received the prison term after a May 12, 2021, guilty plea to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime.
Evidence at the detention, plea, and sentencing hearings showed that from about February 6, 2013 to June 30, 2020, Christiansen illegally acquired and illegally distributed as many as 56 firearms, all while he was also an unlawful user of illegal drugs. Christiansen acquired the weapons by lying about his own drug use. He then traded firearms to individuals involved in criminal activity in exchange for access to illegal drugs. Some of these weapons were semiautomatic firearms capable of accepting large capacity magazines.
On June 29, 2020, defendant’s home was searched, and defendant was interviewed. At that time defendant estimated he had purchased approximately 56 firearms over the preceding five years. Despite claiming he collected firearms, not one firearm was still in his possession at the time of his interaction with law enforcement. Purchase records confirmed defendant acquired at least 23 firearms, from five different gun stores in Sioux City, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Six of the guns were recovered by law enforcement after defendant purchased them. Five were recovered in the course of unrelated narcotics investigations, and the sixth was recovered in another unrelated police action.
The time between defendant’s purchase and law enforcement’s recovery of the guns ranged from five years (for a weapon that was recovered in Colorado in connection with a multi-pound drug investigation) to just 66 days (for a weapon recovered locally by law enforcement).
Christiansen was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Christiansen was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Christiansen is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, the North Sioux City, South Dakota Police Department, the Union County, South Dakota Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Department of Justice --United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4020.
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Large Scale Methamphetamine Distributor Sentenced to over a Decade in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who distributed over five kilograms of methamphetamine in the Dubuque area between 2018 and 2019 was sentenced today to more than ten years in federal prison.
Alan Julson, age 40, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. At the guilty plea, Julson admitted that on October 21, 2019, he intended to distribute at least 50 grams of pure methamphetamine. Julson has prior convictions for his involvement with methamphetamine and, at sentencing, the court described Julson’s prior track record on probation as “horrendous.”
Julson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Julson was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment and fined $100. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Julson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department’s Drug Task Force.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-1024.
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Iowa Marijuana Dealer Who Possessed Guns to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute marijuana while possessing firearms in furtherance of the drug conspiracy was sentenced October 5, 2021, to more than 6.5 years in federal prison.
Tvonn Gully, 25, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 21, 2021, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence at Gully’s plea and sentencing hearings showed that between April, 2019 and February, 2020, Gully was a pound-level dealer of marijuana and distributed at least 20 kilograms of marijuana to others during the conspiracy. On April 18, 2019, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Gully’s vehicle in Fort Dodge. During a search of Gully’s vehicle, officers located several baggies of marijuana and a loaded 9mm caliber handgun under the driver’s seat of the vehicle. On February 11, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gully’s residence. During the search, officers seized 400 Xanax pills, 2,165 grams of marijuana, a stolen .380 caliber Walther PK handgun, two cell phones, two digital scales, and $1,322 cash. Gully had two prior state drug convictions which made him a career offender under federal law.
Gully was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Gully was sentenced to 93 months’ imprisonment but received a sentence reduction of 13 months and 19 days for time already served on a related state offense. He must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Gully is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by Fort Dodge Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-3036. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Clay County Man Pleads Guilty to Meth and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed a firearm pled guilty October 5, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Joshua Currier, 31 from Spencer, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm. Currier was previously convicted of Forgery, in the Iowa District Court for Dickinson County, on or about June 13, 2011, and Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow of Air/Blood in the Iowa District Court for Clay County, on or about August 9, 2017. Both convictions prohibit Currier from possessing any firearm.
At the plea hearing, Currier admitted that between January 2020 and continuing to on or about February 2021, he and others conspired to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine. Further evidence showed that, in December 2020, Currier possessed a Canik 9mm pistol as a prohibited person.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Currier remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. For the conspiracy offense, Currier faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. For the firearm offense, Currier faces a possibly maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and not more than 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4037. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Felon Who Possessed Multiple Firearms Sentenced to over Nine Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who possessed five firearms as a felon was sentenced today to more than nine years in federal prison.
Demond Rollins, age 21, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 19, 2021 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence in the case showed Rollins was in possession of a firearm as a passenger in a vehicle. When police initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed through Waterloo. Rollins tossed a firearm out of the car window and then ran from police when the vehicle stopped. Rollins has two prior state court convictions for being a felon in possession of firearms.
Rollins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Rollins was sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Rollins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa C. Williams and Jacob Schunk and was investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-2009.
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Felon Found Sleeping in Car on Interstate Shoulder Sentenced to Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
A man who was found sleeping on the side of Interstate 380 with over three ounces of marijuana and a loaded handgun was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison.
Shawndell Phillip Smith, age 25, from Jackson, Mississippi, received the prison term after an April 16, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Information presented at the sentencing showed that in November 2020, law enforcement found Smith sleeping inside a vehicle parked on the side of Interstate 380 in Black Hawk County. While speaking with the officer, Smith stated that he was “high” and “lit.” Smith was arrested and during a search of his vehicle, the officers found a loaded pistol, with a round chambered, and three baggies containing a total of over 87 grams of marijuana. Evidence at sentencing also showed that, while he was being held in custody pending sentencing, Smith punched two other Linn County Jail inmates in the head repeatedly.
Smith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Smith was sentenced to 102 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Smith is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Gillespie and Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21‑CR‑02011‑CJW‑MAR.
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Possessing Nearly Two Kilograms of Marijuana and a Loaded Gun Results in over Eleven Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who was caught with nearly two kilograms of marijuana and a loaded handgun was sentenced today to more than eleven years in federal prison.
Charles Robert Evans, age 33, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 6, 2021 guilty plea to one count of possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Information presented at sentencing showed that Evans was approached by Cedar Rapids police officers in April 2020, at which time he jumped out of his car and attempted to run from officers. Officers were able to tackle and arrest him and found over $3,000 in cash on his person. A search of the vehicle revealed over 1,800 grams of marijuana and a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number. Evans admitted to possessing the marijuana with the intent to distribute it, and to possessing the firearm in furtherance of that drug crime. In June 2020, Evans was again stopped by law enforcement in Victor, Iowa, and arrested. A search of his vehicle on that occasion revealed over 250 grams of marijuana and over $6,000 in cash. Evans had previously been convicted of 36 charges as an adult, including a felony crack distribution offense and multiple assaults.
Evans was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Evans was sentenced to a total of 137 months’ imprisonment, consisting of 77 months’ concurrent imprisonment on the possession-with-intent and felon‑in‑possession charges and 60 months’ imprisonment consecutive for possessing the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. He must also serve a total of 5 years of supervised release after the prison terms. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Evans is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Alex Geocaris and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham. The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20‑CR‑00089‑CJW‑MAR.
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Nineteen Charged with Federal Gun Law Violations in the Waterloo, Iowa, AreaRead the Press Release
Law enforcement agencies in the Waterloo, Iowa, area continue to make communities safer by partnering to reduce gun related crimes and violence. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa announced charges and arrests involving nineteen individuals charged with federal gun crimes within the last week.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement remain committed to reducing violent crime by investigating and prosecuting offenses involving firearms,” said Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry. “Those who carry guns and commit violence and those who put guns in the hands of violent individuals in our communities will be held accountable.”
“Our focus has been two-fold, interrupting a subculture that illegally distributes firearms and holding members of their criminal organizations accountable, while targeting violent offenders whose indifference towards human life and the law made them a danger to the public,” said Waterloo Police Chief Doctor Joel Fitzgerald. “We promised our stakeholders that there would be significant consequences for offenders, and this joint effort allowed us to keep our word. For those who continue to participate in criminal activity, it's only a matter of time.”
“Violence by neighborhood gang members poses a direct and dangerous threat to innocent victims and our communities. Some of the people arrested this week are associated with gangs responsible for multiple homicides, drive-by shootings, and home invasions. Working alongside our law enforcement partners, FBI Omaha is focused on targeting the overall leadership of gangs that are driving the gun violence and other violent crimes in our communities,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “We will continue working to identify, investigate, and apprehend criminals responsible for these types of violent crimes until their entire criminal enterprise is dismantled.”
“The ATF has no greater mission than keeping firearms out of the hands of violent criminals. These cases not only demonstrate the lengths to which criminals will go to acquire firearms, but more importantly, ATF’s expertise and commitment to investigating such violations of federal law,” said Frederic Winston, Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City Field Division, ATF. “With our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office, we will continue to work tirelessly to bring those who disregard the safety of our communities to justice.”
“We will continue to combat violence in our communities by apprehending violent offenders engaging in gang-related crimes through the strategic and precise targeting of gang organizations,” said Acting United States Marshal Christopher Barther. “Using the full operational capabilities of the United States Marshals Service and its law enforcement partners, this mission will continue to be a top priority.”
The work of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Waterloo has resulted in the following charges in federal court in the last week:
Terrance Roby, age 23, Jyshawn Robertson, age 23, Ivan Clay, Jr., age 21, Davon Biddle, age 21, Alyssa Stovall, age 23, Jaheim Nickelson, age 19, Lloyd Allen, age 28, Dewon Campbell, age 22, Edward Roby, age 24, Destiny Harrington, age 21, Alissa Kucko, age 26, Abyehun Teferi age 26, Kalon Bruce, age 28, Xzavier Cummings, age 22, have all been charged.
The charges are contained in indictments filed within the last week in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids. Five additional defendants, whose charges remain under seal, have also been charged with violating federal firearm laws.
The indictments against Campbell, Edward Roby, Terrance Roby, Robertson, Nickelson, Allen III, and Bruce allege that these individuals possessed firearms after previously being convicted of at least one felony offense.
The indictment against Ivan Clay, Jr. alleges that on at least two separate occasions, Clay, Jr. possessed a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony offense. The indictment also alleges that Clay, Jr., possessed marijuana with the intent to distribute it and that he possessed a firearm in relation to the drug trafficking offense.
The indictment against Kucko alleges that she made a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, specifically, that she was purchasing the firearm for herself when in reality she purchased the firearm for another person. The indictment also alleges Kucko possessed five firearms while being an unlawful user of marijuana.
The indictments against Biddle, Stovall, and Cummings allege they possessed a firearm while being unlawful users of marijuana.
If convicted on these charges, all defendants face at least a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The indictment against Harrington allege that Harrington made a false statement when purchasing a firearm, specifically, she lied about her address and represented that she was not a user of controlled substance, when in fact she an unlawful user of marijuana. If convicted on this charge, Harrington faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
These cases were investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the United States Marshal’s Service.
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Mason City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiracy and Distribution of MethRead the Press Release
A Mason City man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced September 27, 2021 to 14 years in federal prison.
Cameron Brunstein, age 30, from Mason City, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
Brunstein admitted receiving pound quantities of methamphetamine and reselling it in and around the Mason City, Iowa area. Brunstein was caught selling methamphetamine twice in Mason City. Search warrants were conducted on Brunstein’s home, where law enforcement seized methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, LSD, and other pharmaceutical drugs, along with cash and distribution materials.
Brunstein was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Brunstein was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Brunstein is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Mason City Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-3007.
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Mason City Man Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Mason City man was sentenced September 27, 2021 to nearly two years in federal prison.
Brett Wetter, age 46, from Mason City, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user.
In a plea agreement, Wetter admitted he possessed 10 guns while being a methamphetamine user.
Wetter was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Wetter was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Wetter is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Mason City Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-3007.
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Liquor Store Shootout Sends Waterloo Felon to Hospital, Then to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who was shot in the ankle during a shootout at a liquor store in Waterloo, Iowa, was sentenced today to two years in federal prison.
Demitrius Cannon, age 35, from Waterloo, received the prison term today after an April 21, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence at prior hearings showed that Cannon engaged in a shootout with Charles Ware at a liquor store in Waterloo during the early morning hours of September 25, 2020. During the shootout, Cannon was shot in the leg and bullets went through multiple nearby windows. Cannon was admitted to the hospital for his injuries and is currently confined to a wheelchair. The judge at sentencing described the scene as reminiscent of the Wild West. Cannon had previously been convicted of felony possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine in Wisconsin in 2003. Ware, whose criminal history included 30 adult convictions, was previously sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment.
Cannon was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Cannon was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Cannon is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Schunk and Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-02063-CJW-MAR.
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Cedar Rapids Man Charged with Being a Drug User in Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Douglas Studer, age 62, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition. The charge is contained in an Indictment unsealed on September 27, 2021, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, in May 2019, Studer possessed two firearms and ammunition when he was an unlawful user of methamphetamine and marijuana.
If convicted, Studer faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years on supervised release following any imprisonment.
Studer appeared for a detention hearing on September 28, 2021, in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was released on bond. Studer’s next appearance for trial is set for November 29, 2021.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 21-1027.
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Anamosa Man Charged with Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Douglas Hurt, age 41, of Anamosa, Iowa, has been charged with being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. The charge is contained in an Indictment unsealed on September 17, 2021, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, in June 2020, Hurt possessed two firearms and ammunition after having been convicted of one felony and three misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence.
If convicted, Hurt faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years on supervised release following any imprisonment.
Hurt appeared for a detention hearing on September 23, 2021, in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was released on bond. Hurt’s next appearance for trial is set for November 22, 2021.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 21-59.
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Cedar Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Escape from Custody and Contempt of CourtRead the Press Release
A man who escaped from the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility and later failed to appear in federal court pursuant to a subpoena pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Eugene Davis, age 43, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of an April 23, 2021 escape from federal custody at the Residential Correctional Center in Waterloo and for contempt of court by failing to appear in federal court on April 26, 2021, pursuant to a trial subpoena.
In a plea agreement, Davis admitted that he was in the Waterloo Residential Correctional Center in Waterloo, Iowa, on April 23, 2021, as a condition of his term of supervised release in a 2009 federal firearms case. On April 23, 2021, Davis left the facility to go to work and never returned. Davis was later arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to Davis’s escape, he was served with a subpoena that required him to appear in federal court in Cedar Rapids on April 26, 2021. Davis never appeared in court as required.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Davis remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. For the escape offense, Davis faces a possible maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. For the contempt offense, Davis faces any term of imprisonment the Court finds appropriate in its discretion, a fine of not more than $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to five years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file numbers are CR-21-0041 (contempt of court) & CR-21-2042 (escape).
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Waterloo Woman Headed to Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
A woman who admitted conspiring with others to sell methamphetamine was sentenced September 24, 2021, to nearly four years in federal prison.
Jennifer Marie Klingsmith, age 36, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 15, 2021 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
At the guilty plea, Klingsmith admitted she conspired with others beginning around November 2019 through February 2020 to distribute methamphetamine. Klingsmith admitted selling methamphetamine to two other people. Overall, Klingsmith was involved in trafficking more than 200 grams of methamphetamine.
Klingsmith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Klingsmith was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Klingsmith is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Alex Geocaris and Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Waterloo Police Department, the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar Falls Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-cr-2046.
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Northeastern Iowa Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Guiding and Outfitting Illegal Deer HuntsRead the Press Release
A Northeastern Iowa man who guided and outfitted illegal deer hunts was sentenced on September 23, 2021, to federal prison. Cory Gene Fritzler, age 46, from Lansing, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 18, 2021 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy.
Evidence at Fritzler’s plea, sentencing, and other hearings established that Fritzler operated a guiding and outfitting business in Northeastern Iowa known as “NE Iowa Outfitters.” The Northeastern Iowa region is nationally recognized as a prime geographic area for hunting mature whitetail buck deer. Hunters travel to Northeastern Iowa from all over the United States to hunt high value, mature buck deer with large antlers. The demand for out-of-state hunting licenses, however, greatly exceeds the supply.
During the 2015 hunting season, Fritzler agreed to conduct an illegal hunt with two hunters from Florida who were actually undercover law enforcement officers. The agreed-upon cost of the illegal five-day hunt was $3,450 per person, plus an additional $500 per person for illegal licenses that Fritzler provided. Fritzler recruited others to participate in the illegal hunting scheme by applying for and receiving Iowa hunting licenses and tags to cover the deer.
That same hunting season, Fritzler legally provided guiding and outfitting services to two non-resident hunters from Louisiana. In 2015, one of the hunters shot a valuable “double drop tine buck” but wounded this deer in its backside only. When the hunters did not obtain out-of-state licenses the next year to obtain this deer, known as “the Monster Buck,” Fritzler accepted $3,450 from the hunters to guide and outfit their illegal hunts during the 2016 hunting season. Fritzler instructed the Louisiana hunters to tell people, falsely, that they were hunting in a public area in Wisconsin to hide the fact that they were illegally hunting on Fritzler's ground in Iowa. When questioned by law enforcement, Fritzler and the Louisiana hunters falsely stated they were hunting in Wisconsin. In the ensuing months, Fritzler later encouraged the Louisana hunters to continue to “stick to their story” as law enforcement was investigating the case.
Fritzler was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Fritzler was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, two months of home detention, and fined $5,000. Fritzler must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Fritzler was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-1034.
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Media Advisory: Press Conference to Announce Project Safe Neighborhood Gun Charges and Arrests in Waterloo, IowaRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – There will be a press conference held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the United States Attorney’s Office in the federal courthouse, 111 Seventh Ave SE, in Cedar Rapids. Representatives from the United States Attorney’s Office and federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the Waterloo Police Departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Marshal’s Service will be present at the press conference.. The purpose of the press conference is to announce more than a dozen recent Project Safe Neighborhood gun charges and arrests in Waterloo.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime
Event Details
When: September 29, 2021
Where: Cedar Rapids Federal Courthouse (United States Attorney’s Office), 111 Seventh Ave. SE
Time: 11:00 a.m.
A press release will be provided and interview opportunities will be available.
Please RSVP to Tony Morfitt at [email protected] if you plan to attend.
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Convicted Felon Who Unlawfully Possessed a Gun Sentenced to over Two Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who possessed a gun despite being legally prohibited was sentenced September 20, 2021, to more than two years in federal prison.
John Michael Dockery, age 37, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 1, 2021 guilty plea to possession of a gun by a prohibited person.
At the guilty plea, Dockery admitted possessing a firearm following two felony convictions from California and while he was an unlawful user of methamphetamine. Dockery was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped in Cedar Rapids and a gun was found in the back of vehicle behind Dockery’s seat.
Dockery was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Dockery was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Dockery is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-80.
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Chicago Drug Dealer Who Flipped Car While Attempting to Flee from Police Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
A man who led Dubuque, Iowa, police on a high‑speed chase that ended with his car on its hood and his gun, heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in the snow, pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Richard Allen Roberts, age 39, from Chicago, Illinois, was convicted of one count of distributing crack near a playground and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In a plea agreement, Roberts admitted that he sold about a half gram of crack cocaine to a confidential informant near Jefferson Park in Dubuque on January 26, 2021. About a week later, police tracked Roberts’s car from Dubuque to Chicago. When he returned to Iowa on February 5, 2021, officers stopped the car after it crossed the bridge into Dubuque from Wisconsin. A narcotics K9 alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from Roberts’s vehicle. After an officer asked Roberts to get out of his car, Roberts put the car in gear and fled. During the subsequent chase, Roberts’s vehicle reached speeds over 80 miles per hour and collided with a snowplow but kept going. Roberts eventually lost control of his car approximately three-and-half miles away in Illinois, flipping the car over onto a snow‑filled median. When the car was turned back over, officers found a plastic bag containing about 32 grams of powder cocaine, 44 grams of crack cocaine, over 9 grams of heroin, and 1.5 grams of heroin and fentanyl. Next to the bag was a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. Roberts had previously been convicted of 11 felony crimes in Illinois.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Roberts remains in custody of the United States Marshal. On the drug charge, Roberts faces a mandatory minimum sentence of one year imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment. On the gun charge, Roberts faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years’ supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21‑CR‑1017‑CJW‑MAR.
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Sioux City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine around the tri-state area was sentenced September 22, 2021 to 10 years in federal prison.
Leroy Eric McCoy, age 39, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 15, 2021 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
In a plea agreement, McCoy admitted to conspiring to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine around the tri-state area. McCoy was previously convicted in 2005 of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine near a private location and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
McCoy was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. McCoy was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
McCoy is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4039.
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Former Church Employee Sentenced to over Two Years in Prison for Stealing from the ChurchRead the Press Release
A former employee who stole more than $270,000 from the church that employed her was sentenced today to more two years in federal prison.
Melissa Noland, age 47, from Polk City, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 12, 2021, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.
Information from a plea agreement and court hearings showed that Noland was employed by a church between January 2015 and January 2019. During that time, Noland stole money from the church in various ways. Noland wrote checks to herself using the church’s checkbook, used church bank accounts to pay her own credit card bills, and made excess payroll distributions to herself. Noland eventually stole $274,222.09 from the church. Once the church discovered her thefts, she was terminated from her employment.
Noland was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Noland was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment. She was ordered to make $274,222.09 in restitution the church. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Noland was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mason City Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-3025.
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Waterloo Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Buying Gun for BoyfriendRead the Press Release
A Waterloo woman who purchased a gun for her boyfriend and attempted to purchase at least one other gun for him and a friend was sentenced yesterday to 12 months in prison.
Ashley Nichole Lies, age 26, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison sentence after an April 12, 2021 guilty plea to making a false statement during purchase of a firearm.
Information disclosed at sentencing and at her plea hearing showed that, in July 2020, Lies purchased a 9mm pistol from a business in Cedar Falls, Iowa. During the purchase, Lies represented to the business that she was purchasing the gun for herself. Lies was actually buying the gun for her boyfriend at the time, who was prohibited from possessing guns because he had a prior conviction for domestic abuse. The gun was seized from Lies’ boyfriend a few weeks after she purchased it. Investigators also determined that Lies attempted to purchase at least one other guns for Lies’ boyfriend and another friend but was denied.
Lies was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Lies was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Lies will have to pay $100 to the special assessment fund.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Cedar Falls Police Department, the Waterloo Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-02061.
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Center Point Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
A man who received almost $17,000 in fraudulently obtained CARES Act unemployment funds was sentenced on September 20, 2021, to five months in federal prison. Larry Neal Wells, age 63, from Center Point, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 5, 2021 guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.
Information from sentencing and a plea agreement showed that Wells received $16,978 in unemployment funds to which he was not entitled from the states of Maine and New York. Wells withdrew the funds in cash, kept some of the funds for himself, and mailed the rest to other individuals.
Wells was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Wells was sentenced to 5 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $7,728 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor and $9,250 in restitution to the Maine Department of Labor. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Wells was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on October 4, 2021.
This prosecution is an example of the Department of Justice’s strong commitment to combating fraud and criminal activity related to COVID-19. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 20-CR-113.
Wisconsin Man Sentenced to a Decade in Federal Prison for Supplying Stolen Firearms to Dubuque Drug DealerRead the Press Release
A Wisconsin man, who burglarized a residence during the summer of 2016 and then supplied some of the stolen firearms to a Dubuque drug dealer, was sentenced on September 20, 2021, to ten years in federal prison.
Shiloh Michael Wolf, age 23, from Montfort, Wisconsin, received the prison term after a March 17, 2021 guilty plea to one count of possession, barter, and sale of a stolen firearm.
In a plea agreement, Wolf admitted that, in July 2016, he burglarized a residence in Bagley, Wisconsin, and stole ten pistols and revolvers, as well as about 800 rounds of ammunition. Wolf was a methamphetamine dealer who targeted the pistols and revolvers in the burglary because he wanted to steal firearms that would be helpful in the drug trade. Later in the summer of 2016, Wolf traded five of the firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition to another methamphetamine dealer in Dubuque, Iowa, for cash and methamphetamine.
Over the course of the next several years, Iowa law enforcement officers discovered a number of felons and drug users in possession of the firearms that Wolf had stolen in the burglary:
In August 2016, law enforcement officers searched Jordan Dakota Ness’s home in Dubuque and discovered a revolver and a pistol that Wolf had stolen in the burglary. Ness was a felon. In May 2021, Ness was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison.
In November 2016, law enforcement officers found a pistol that Wolf had stolen in the burglary during a search of a car that an unlawful drug user, felon, and domestic abuser, Jeremy Michael Kieffer, was operating in Dubuque. In June 2017, Kieffer was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for possessing the pistol illegally.
In January 2019, law enforcement officers recovered a pistol that Wolf had stolen in the possession of an unlawful drug user, John David Orr III, in Dubuque. In October 2019, Orr was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison.
Two other firearms that Wolf stole in the burglary were discovered during a roadside cleanup in Linn County, Iowa, and following an incident in Clinton, Iowa. The other firearms remain at large.
Wolf was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Wolf was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $6,000 in restitution the victim of the burglary. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Wolf is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dubuque Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-1003.
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Illinois Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Iowa Meth ConvictionRead the Press Release
On September 17, 2021, a man who conspired to distribute meth was sentenced to 15 years’ in federal prison.
Adrian Estrada, 29, from Rockford, Illinois, had previously pled guilty on April 10, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence from the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from about December 2018 through November 8, 2019, Estrada regularly provided co-conspirators in central Iowa one to three-pound quantities of methamphetamine for over a year, totaling more than 35 pounds of methamphetamine. Estrada resided in Illinois (Rockford) and would transport methamphetamine to co-conspirators in Eagle Grove, Iowa, for further re-distribution in the Northern District of Iowa. Estrada would also collect drug money owed by his co-conspirators. At sentencing, after the presentation of evidence, the district court found that in January of 2019, Estrada and three others confronted a co-conspirator and his friend, and assaulted them by force and threats over a disputed drug debt, including pistol-whipping each victim in an effort to obtain money or methamphetamine. Each of the two victims were treated at local hospitals for injuries consistent with blunt force trauma to the head.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Estrada remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. Estrada was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of five years of supervised release following imprisonment.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, the Eagle Grove Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Laboratory and the United States Marshal Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-3012. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Waterloo Drug User in Possession of Loaded Firearm Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A drug user who possessed a loaded .40 caliber pistol was sentenced today to two years in federal prison.
Shuntez Porter, age 23, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 15, 2021 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user.
In a plea agreement, Porter admitted he was a passenger in a car stopped in Waterloo on August 1, 2020. Police searched the car and found a pistol inside the glovebox. The car had an odor of burnt marijuana and small pieces of marijuana were found around the passenger seat. Porter’s urine was positive for marijuana metabolites. A DNA test comparing swabs taken from the firearm to Porter’s DNA, showed there was strong support that the DNA from the gun was Porter’s DNA.
Porter was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Porter was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment and fined $100. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Porter is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Dupuich and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-2004.
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Sioux City Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for COVID-19 Related Unemployment FraudRead the Press Release
A Sioux City woman who stole government funds using a COVID-19 unemployment scheme was sentenced September 16, 2021, to 6 months in federal prison.
Linda Bosquez, age 59, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to theft of government funds. In a plea agreement, Bosquez admitted that from April 30, 2020 through July 22, 2020, she stole at least $24,235 from the United States Department of the Treasury and the states of Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio.
Bosquez falsely filed claims, in her name and those of others, for unemployment benefits, through the States of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Colorado, and Ohio, including benefits related to COVID-19 relief funds to which she was not entitled. Bosquez made cash withdrawals following the deposits of Unemployment Insurance credits into her account, totaling approximately $27,299.30. Bosquez was receiving benefits from other states via ACH and prepaid cards in the names of other individuals, while she was also receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Bosquez has three prior theft convictions and two prior convictions for fraudulent practice.
The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the United States Department of Labor and the Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Rooting out COVID-19 fraud is a priority of the Department of Justice. On March 27, 2020, the President signed the CARES Act, which provides emergency assistance to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased unemployment benefits.
These prosecutions are an example of the Department of Justice’s strong commitment to combating fraud and criminal activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Bosquez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Bosquez was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment. She was ordered to make $24,235 in restitution in various amounts to the Georgia Department of Labor, the State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, and the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services. She must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Bosquez is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-4029.
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Dubuque Man Who Sold Opioids that Caused Three Deaths Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who sold three deadly doses of opioids in April and May of 2019 was sentenced today to 35 years in federal prison.
Travis Gordon Jones, age 40, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 29, 2020 guilty plea to one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances resulting in death.
At the plea hearing, Jones admitted that he conspired with others to distribute the opioids in Dubuque in April and May 2019. Jones also admitted that he personally sold mixtures of heroin, fentanyl, and a synthetic opioid called valeryl fentanyl that were used by three individuals who then died of overdoses. Court records reflect that the first victim died on April 24, 2019. A heroin customer of Jones’s met with Jones at a bar in Dubuque, after which Jones sold the customer approximately 1.25 grams of a substance that contained heroin, fentanyl, and valeryl fentanyl. The customer then provided the drugs to the first victim, who took them home, used some of them, and was found dead a few hours later.
The second victim died on May 20, 2019. Court records reflect that Julius Irvin was a regular customer of Jones’s, and that he regularly purchased heroin from Jones for himself and others. On May 19, 2019, Jones sold Irvin some heroin laced with fentanyl and valeryl fentanyl, which Irvin was going to provide to one of his customers. The customer took some of the substance to a local women’s shelter in Dubuque, where she had been staying. She used the substance, overdosed, and was found dead by shelter staff the next morning.
The third victim died on May 27, 2019. Evidence at prior hearings showed that Jackie Birch drove her boyfriend, Mateusz Syryjczyk, and the third victim to Jones’s home in Dubuque during the early morning of May 27, 2019. Birch and the third victim went into the home, where they purchased what was purported to be heroin from Jones. The three then drove to a hotel in Dubuque, where they all used the purported heroin. The third victim began to overdose in the room. Birch and Syryjczyk did not immediately call 911, but, over the course of multiple hours, Birch would occasionally perform CPR on the third victim to restore some breathing function, though the victim never regained consciousness. Eventually, Birch and Syryjczyk decided they needed to call 911, and Syryjczyk took the remaining drug paraphernalia from the room to prevent law enforcement from finding it. The third victim never recovered.
Birch was previously sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment after her guilty plea to aiding and abetting the distribution of a controlled substance. Syryjczyk was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment after his guilty plea to misprision of a felony. Irvin was sentenced to 183 months’ imprisonment after his guilty plea to distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death.
Jones was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Jones was sentenced to 420 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $21,044.60 in restitution to the victims. He must also serve a six‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Jones is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-1041-CJW-MAR.
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Dickinson County Woman Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Dickinson County woman who conspired to distribute meth pled guilty September 14, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City. Meghan Renken, 29, from Spirit Lake, Iowa, was convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Renken admitted her involvement in a conspiracy that distributed more than 1500 grams of pure methamphetamine from July 2018 and continuing to on or about March 2020 in the Dickinson County, Iowa area. On March 17, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a co-conspirators residence and seized 20 pounds of methamphetamine from the residence. During the course of the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement stopped Renken and another co-conspirator leaving the residence in a vehicle. Upon a search of the vehicle, law enforcement seized 3 pounds of pure meth that Renken and her co-conspirator admitted they had plans to distribute to other persons.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Renken was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Renken faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office, as well as the Iowa State Patrol.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4050. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Man and Woman Involved in Drug Robbery and Murder Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
A man and woman who were responsible for participating in a robbery that led to the murder of another man were sentenced today to federal prison.
Danielle Busch, age 31, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received a decade in prison after an April 13, 2020 guilty plea to conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce and using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in murder.
William Leo Yancey, age 46, also from Cedar Rapids, received over 30 years in prison after a May 13, 2021 guilty plea to robbery affecting interstate commerce and using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in murder.
Evidence during the case established that, in May 2014, Busch, Yancey, and Matthew Robbins, who will be sentenced at a later date, conspired to rob a local drug dealer, and then robbed the dealer on May 31, 2014. During the robbery, Robbins possessed a firearm which was discharged, murdering the victim.
Busch and Yancey were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand, who described the case as an “horrific offense.” Busch was sentenced to 120 months’ and one day imprisonment. She must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Yancey was sentenced to 400 months’ imprisonment. Judge Strand noted that Yancey has been a drain on the criminal justice system who has engaged in criminal conduct throughout his adult life. Yancey is currently serving a 188-month prison term for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine and will begin serving this sentence once he finishes serving that term of imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The volatile combination of drugs and guns resulted in a man’s tragic death,” said Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry. “Today’s sentences hold accountable two of the individuals who participated in a plan to rob that man of drugs and money. Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting those who mix drugs, guns, and violence.”
Busch and Yancey are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa C. Williams and Emily K. Nydle and was investigated by the Marion Police Department, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Iowa City Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Davenport Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Daytona Beach Shores Florida Police Department. Assistance was also provided by the Waypoint Services Survivor's Program in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-53.
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Melvin, Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty September 7, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Todd Gruis, 50, from Melvin, Iowa was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Gruis admitted that in March 2021 he received multiple packages by mail, each containing methamphetamine. Gruis planned to use some of this methamphetamine and the remainder he planned to distribute to another.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Gruis was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Gruis faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and four years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by United States Postal Inspection Service, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4044. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failing to RegisterRead the Press Release
A convicted sex offender who lived and worked in Iowa for about 14 months without registering as a sex offender was sentenced on September 9, 2021, to more than a year in federal prison.
Charles Gregory, age 50, from Charles City, Iowa, and previously from Illinois, received the prison term after a January 5, 2021 guilty plea to one count of failing to register as a sex offender.
Information disclosed at the sentencing hearing showed that Gregory is required to register as a sex offender for life because he was convicted of multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault in 1990. Gregory was also convicted of failing to register in Illinois state court in 2000. In May 2018, Gregory began working and living in Iowa. He continued to work and live in Iowa until September 2019. Gregory’s failure to register during this time was discovered when he was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in Bremer County. He was eventually convicted of that offense, his second such conviction.
Gregory was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gregory was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Gregory is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 20-CR-2054.
Convicted Felon Who Sold a Gun to a Confidential Informant Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A convicted felon who unlawfully possessed a firearm that he then sold to a confidential informant was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison.
Delano Antwuan Deshazer, age 34, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a March 8, 2021 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
The facts in this case show that Deshazer sold a firearm to a confidential informant in Dubuque, Iowa, in February 2020. Deshazer has an extensive criminal history, including convictions in over 30 different cases. His convictions include felony convictions for eluding and escape. Deshazer was also previously convicted of domestic abuse on four occasions.
Deshazer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. William. Deshazer was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Deshazer is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by Dubuque Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-cr-1029.
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Cedar Rapids Man Charged with Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Rakeem Leonard, age 30, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The charge is contained in an Indictment unsealed on September 6, 2021, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, in July 2021, Leonard possessed a pistol after having been convicted of two felonies and while he was subject to a no contact order.
If convicted, Leonard faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years on supervised release following any imprisonment.
Leonard appeared for a detention hearing today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond. Leonard’s next appearance for trial is set for November 8, 2021.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the High Risk Unit of the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 21-53.
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Woodbury County Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty on September 8, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Fabian Alcaraz-Santillan, 24, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Alcaraz-Santillan admitted that from August 2020 through September 11, 2020, he and others conspired to distribute more than 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. Alcaraz-Santillan received multiple packages of methamphetamine from Mexico with the intent for further distribution.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Alcaraz-Santillan remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Alcaraz-Santillan faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and five years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4090. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.