Northern District of Iowa
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Carroll, Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm pled guilty December 30, 2019, in federal court in Sioux City.
Marcelino Delangel, 47, from Carroll, Iowa, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Delangel had been previously convicted of three felony crimes in Mower County, Minnesota, in 2003, 2006 and 2010, respectively.
At the plea hearing, Delangel admitted to illegally possessing a .22 caliber pistol, which was seized from his vehicle that he was driving when stopped by law enforcement on November 7, 2018. Evidence at the hearing, showed the pistol was loaded with four rounds of ammunition and had been stolen during a burglary in Carroll, Iowa in October 2018.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Delangel remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Delangel faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and Carroll, Iowa Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-3054. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Nineteen-Year-Old Man Sentenced to over Three Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking HeroinRead the Press Release
A nineteen-year-old man was sentenced today to over three years in federal prison for his role in trafficking more than 100 grams of heroin in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area.
Walter Murray, Jr., age 19, from Junpion City, Arizona, and previously residing in Cedar Rapids, received the prison sentence after his June 25, 2018 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin. According to sentencing documents and information disclosed during the sentencing hearing, Murray were involved with a group of heroin dealers in Cedar Rapids from at least January 2019 to April 2019. During that time, the group sold more than 100 grams of heroin. Murray was responsible for selling heroin to multiple individuals during that time.
On February 13, 2019, Murray was driving a car in Cedar Rapids. Police officers attempted to stop the car. Murray did not stop, instead fleeing from the officers. During the chase, Murray reached 60 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour speed zone. Murray hit another occupied car, drove down a bike trail, and onto the frozen Cedar River before leaving the car in someone’s backyard and running. While running, Murray threw away approximately 30 grams of heroin, which law enforcement found shortly after locating and arresting Murray.
Murray was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Murray was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Murray is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the United States Marshal’s Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-45.
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Cedar Rapids Woman Sentenced to Almost a Decade in Federal Prison for Selling MethRead the Press Release
Dana Lee Clatt, age 38, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced to nearly a decade in federal prison on December 20, 2019, for distributing methamphetamine.
After law enforcement searched her home, Clatt admitted she received over five kilograms of “ice” methamphetamine from her sources for her to further distribute. In a subsequent plea agreement, Clatt admitted selling methamphetamine four times in Cedar Rapids in February 2017.
Clatt was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Clatt was sentenced to 117 months and 26 days imprisonment. She must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Clatt is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/.
The case file number is 1:19-cr-00008-CJW-MAR.
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Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Loaded FirearmRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to more than two years in federal prison.
Dante Williams, age 37, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 17, 2019, guilty plea to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Williams unlawfully possessed a loaded pistol in his waistband at the time of his arrest for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. He was prohibited from possessing firearms based on two prior convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. He was also prohibited for being a drug user.
Williams was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Williams was sentenced to 27 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.
Williams 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.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Dupuich and Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-78-CJW.
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Man Driving Around with Knife and Large Amount of Methamphetamine Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who intended to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced December 17, 2019, to more than three years in federal prison.
Mathew John Wharton, age 28, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 1, 2019, guilty plea to distribution with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
At the guilty plea and sentencing, Wharton admitted that in January of 2019, he was stopped by Cedar Rapids police officers during a traffic stop. During the stop, Wharton had a knife on him and nearly an ounce of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Defendant intended to sell the methamphetamine to other people. In April 2019, officers executed a search warrant at Wharton’s Cedar Rapids residence. There, they located methamphetamine, marijuana, paraphernalia, a Springfield shotgun, a Remington 1100 semi-automatic firearm, and ammunition.
Wharton’s residence was also the subject of a search warrant executed by Cedar Rapids police back in December of 2016. During that search, officers located methamphetamine, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a .410 gauge shotgun.
Wharton was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Wharton was sentenced to 36 months’ and 28 days’ imprisonment. A $100 special assessment was imposed. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Linn County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, 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 19-CR-00038.
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Repeat Crack Dealer Sentenced to More than Fifteen Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Dubuque man who distributed crack cocaine near playgrounds was sentenced on December 16, 2019, to over fifteen years in federal prison.
Cory Dukes, age 33, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 1, 2019 guilty plea to the distribution of cocaine base within 1000 feet of a protected location.
In a plea agreement, Dukes admitted to knowingly selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant near two playgrounds in Dubuque, Iowa. Dukes has three previous convictions for selling narcotics in Dubuque near protected locations.
Dukes was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Dukes was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Dukes is being held by 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 Elizabeth Dupuich and was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force 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 19-CR-1014.
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Former Bank President Who Aided the Obstruction of an FDIC Investigation SentencedRead the Press Release
A former bank president who aided the obstruction of an FDIC examination was sentenced today to 5 years’ probation.
Cecil Capper, age 74, from Marion, Iowa, received the probation term after a June 25, 2019 guilty plea to aiding and abetting the obstruction of an FDIC investigation.
Information at sentencing showed that Capper worked as a bank president from 2009 to 2013, and that in December 2010 Capper prepared a handwritten memo and made an entry in the bank’s computer system purporting to show that Capper’s bank had assumed a $500,000 loan from another affiliated bank. Capper did so in order to aid in concealing underlying delinquent loans from FDIC scrutiny. The bank ended up being unable to collect on the majority of the $500,000 loan, ultimately losing $462,304.84.
Capper was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Capper was sentenced to 5 years’ probation. He was ordered to make $462,304.84 in restitution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-63. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Man Who Stole His Brother’s Truck and Violated an Order of Protection by Forcing His Family to Travel Across State Lines with Him Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who abused his wife for years, eventually forcing her to leave Iowa with their children was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison.
Frank Young, age 32, from Anamosa, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 20, 2019, guilty plea to interstate violation of a protection order, causing travel of a victim and interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.
Evidence during the case established that between 2016 and 2018, Young engaged in repeated acts of domestic violence against his wife. Young was convicted of domestic abuse assault, trespass, burglary, and child endangerment, as well as multiple violations of the no contact order prohibiting Young from contacting his wife and children. In February 2018, and despite protection orders prohibiting Young from contacting his wife or children, Young stole his brother’s truck and forced his family to leave Iowa in the stolen vehicle. The State of Iowa issued an Amber alert and police arrested Young in Wichita, Kansas.
Young was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Young was sentenced to 77 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.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Williams noted that Young subjected his wife to a “reign of terror” and commented that it was hard to understand “the horror of what she lived through.”
Young is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, and the Exploited and Missing Child Unit which is a task force composed of the State of Kansas D.C.F., the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wichita Police DepartmentCourt file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-0015.
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Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man was sentenced December 4, 2019 to more than a year in federal prison for possessing a loaded handgun while being a felon, and on parole.
Ronald Warner, age 47, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 15, 2019, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Evidence produced by the United States at the change of plea and sentencing hearings in this case, and the related case against Mr. Troy Cooke, showed that Cooke allowed felons, including Warner, regular access to guns and on one occasion gave Warner a gun as collateral on a debt. Warner, as a felon, could not lawfully possess the gun and Cooke and Warner both knew it. Warner’s firearm possession was discovered when Probation and Parole Officers conducted a search of Warner’s home and found the weapon hidden, loaded, and cocked.
Warner was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Warner was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Cooke was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand on November 22, 2019. Cooke was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100 for providing an employee, Warner, a firearm knowing that employee was a felon. He was fined $15,000. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Warner 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 and the United States Department of Justice’s 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 18-CR-4072.
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California Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
A man who sexually exploited a child was sentenced on December 10, 2019, to 30 years in federal prison.
David Vogelpohl, age 22, of Vista, California, received the sentence after a June 20, 2019, guilty plea to one count of sexual exploitation of a child. At the plea hearing, Vogelpohl admitted that, in 2018, he persuaded, induced, or enticed a female under 18 years old to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions.
Vogelpohl was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Vogelpohl was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and Vogelpohl must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release. He must comply with all sex offender registration and public notification requirements.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Mason City Police Department, the North Platte, Nebraska, Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 18-3053.
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Social Media Influencer Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison after Plotting to Hijack Internet DomainRead the Press Release
A man who enlisted his cousin to break into a Cedar Rapids man’s home and order him at gunpoint to transfer an Internet domain was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison.
Rossi Lorathio Adams II, age 27, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, also known as “Polo,” received the prison term after an April 18, 2019, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force, threats, and violence.
The evidence at trial showed that Adams founded the social media company “State Snaps” while a student at Iowa State University in 2015. State Snaps operates on a variety of social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter. At one time, Adams had over a million followers on his social media sites, which mostly contained images and videos of young adults engaged in crude behavior, drunkenness, and nudity. In 2015, a Des Moines area television station aired a news segment in which Adams, who in the interview would only identify himself as “Polo,” was continuing to operate his social media sites despite the objections of Iowa State University administrators and the policies of the social media platforms.
Adams’ followers often used the slogan, “Do It For State!” Adams tried to purchase the Internet domain “doitforstate.com” from a Cedar Rapids resident who had registered the domain with GoDaddy.com. Between 2015 and 2017, Adams repeatedly tried to obtain “doitforstate.com”, but the owner of the domain would not sell it. Adams also threatened one of the domain owner’s friends with “gun emojis” after the friend used the domain to promote concerts.
In June 2017, Adams enlisted his cousin, Sherman Hopkins, Jr., to break into the domain owner’s home and force him at gunpoint to transfer doitforstate.com to Adams. Hopkins was a convicted felon who lived in a homeless shelter at the time.
On June 21, 2017, Adams drove Hopkins to the domain owner’s house and provided Hopkins with a demand note, which contained instructions for transferring the domain to Adams’ GoDaddy account. When Hopkins entered the victim’s home in Cedar Rapids, he was carrying a cellular telephone, a stolen gun, a taser, and he was wearing a hat, pantyhose on his head, and dark sunglasses on his face.
The victim was upstairs and heard Hopkins enter the home. From the top of a staircase, the victim saw Hopkins with the gun on the first floor. Hopkins shouted at the victim, who then ran into an upstairs bedroom and shut the door, leaning up against the door to stop Hopkins from entering.
Hopkins went upstairs, kicked the door open, grabbed the victim by the arm and demanded to know where he kept his computer. When the victim told Hopkins that he kept his computer in his home office, Hopkins forcibly moved the victim to the office. Hopkins ordered the victim to turn on his computer and connect to the Internet. Hopkins pulled out Adams’ demand note, which contained a series of directions on how to change an Internet domain name from the domain owner’s GoDaddy account to one of Adams’ GoDaddy accounts.
Hopkins put the firearm against the victim’s head and ordered him to follow the directions on the demand note. Hopkins then pistol whipped the victim several times in the head. Fearing for his life, the victim quickly turned to move the gun away from his head. The victim then managed to gain control of the gun, but during the struggle, he was shot in the leg. The victim shot Hopkins multiple times in the chest. He then contacted law enforcement.
Adams was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Adams was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make nearly $9,000 in restitution. Adams was also ordered to pay costs of prosecution in the amount of $3,957.45 and to repay the Court $22,000 in attorney fees. Adams had court-appointed counsel during trial, but the Court later discovered Adams was earning significant amounts of money while the case was pending. Adams 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.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
Adams 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 Timothy L. Vavricek and Matthew J. Cole and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-86-CJW.
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Nora Springs Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who possessed child pornography pled guilty on December 6, 2019, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Aaron Olson, age 36, from Nora Springs, Iowa, was convicted of two counts of possession of child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent children. At the plea hearing, Olson admitted that, between 2017 and 2019, he knowingly possessed child pornography on a computer and a memory card.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Olson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Olson faces a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, $10,200 in special assessments, and supervised release for 5 years to life following any imprisonment. In a plea agreement, Olson agreed to be sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Nora Springs Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 19-2029.
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Jury Convicts Denison, Iowa Man for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was convicted by a jury on December 6, 2019, after a 3-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.
Jose Carlos Ramirez-Martinez, 31, from Denison, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The verdict was returned following about two hours of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that Ramirez-Martinez was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from October 2015 through September 2016, from the Denison, Iowa, area. Evidence showed that Ramirez-Martinez would often have co-conspirators travel for him from Denison to Worthington, Minnesota to deliver ½ lb quantities of methamphetamine to a co-conspirator for further re-distribution in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Ramirez-Martinez was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the verdict was returned and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Ramirez-Martinez 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 Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement; Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; Buffalo Ridge Task Force (Worthington/ Nobles County, Minnesota); and the Internal Revenue Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-4025. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Iowa Man Charged with Interstate and Cyber StalkingRead the Press Release
Michael Shawn McGuire, age 56, from Cresco, Iowa, has been charged with two counts of interstate stalking and one count of cyber stalking. The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed on December 3, 2019, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, on or about August 25, 2018, and May 25, 2019, McGuire traveled from Iowa to Minnesota with the intent to harass the victim and caused the victim to experience substantial emotional distress. The Indictment further alleges, that, between on or about September 10, 2018, and September 20, 2018, McGuire engaged in a course of conduct by using Facebook to harass, intimidate, and cause substantial emotional distress to the victim.
If convicted on all charges, McGuire faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
McGuire appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and after a hearing, was held without bond. Evidence at the hearing established that on August 25, 2018, and May 25, 2019, numerous yard signs were posted in Minnesota, where the victim resides. The signs were sexually explicit and contained the victim’s name, telephone number, address, and email address. During this same time period, various friends, family members, and associates of the victim received sexually explicit mailings with semi-nude photos of the victim. In addition, various Facebook profiles sent similar semi-nude photos to some of the victim’s contacts through Facebook and various fake dating profiles associated with the victim were created.
McGuire’s next appearance for trial is set for February 3, 2020.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and was investigated by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-2075.
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Mexican Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced today to more than three months in federal prison.
Diego Perez-Vasquez, age 26, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and living in Iowa received the prison term after an October 10, 2019, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States.
At the guilty plea, Perez-Vasquez admitted he had previously been deported from the United States on March 12, 2015, and March 18, 2015, and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Perez-Vasquez was found by immigration agents in August 2019 after two aliens under ICE supervision entered a car containing Perez-Vasquez in a parking lot near the Cedar Rapids ICE office. Perez-Vasquez was arrested after he presented the ICE agents with a fraudulent California driver’s license as a form of identification.
Perez-Vasquez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Perez-Vasquez was sentenced to 97 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Perez-Vasquez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-92.
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Tax Evader Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who failed to pay income taxes for at least five years and then evaded paying back taxes for at least seven years was sentenced November 26, 2019, to a year-and-a-half in federal prison.
Scott Wallace, age 53, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 11, 2019 guilty plea to one count of attempting to evade and defeat the payment of taxes.
At the guilty plea and in a plea agreement, Wallace admitted he ran a trucking business from 2000 to 2006, made income during those years, but failed to file income tax returns for 2002 through 2006. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), however, calculated that he owed $130,903 in taxes for those years. After learning that he owed back taxes, Wallace willfully attempted to evade paying those taxes from 2008 through 2015. For example, in 2012 and 2013, Wallace was working in the trucking industry in North Dakota. Wallace had the income he was making deposited into bank accounts he had opened in his son’s name, but that he controlled and used.
Wallace took other steps to avoid paying taxes, including hiding assets and income from the IRS, using his son’s name and the name of a business to hide the fact that he made over $350,000 between 2012 and 2014, buying two trucks and a house in other names, and using a defunct business’s bank account. In total, Wallace hid the fact that he made $1,205,433 from 2007 through 2014 from the IRS to avoid having to pay his back taxes. In May 2016, a civil judgment was entered against Wallace, ordering him to pay $313,853.88 in back taxes.
Wallace was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Wallace was sentenced to 18 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.
Wallace is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison because he violated numerous conditions of his release while awaiting sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-cr-3001.
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Marijuana Dealer Who Possessed Firearms Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who admitted to police officers that he made marijuana products and that he lied about his drug use on forms to purchase firearms was sentenced November 26, 2019, to almost two years in federal prison.
Dustin Blake Herubin, age 24, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 1, 2019 guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance near a protected location and possession of firearms by a user of a controlled substance.
Information at sentencing showed that Herubin’s residence was struck by gunfire on October 11, 2018. Officers subsequently obtained a search warrant for the residence based on a strong odor of raw marijuana. Herubin told officers he was a marijuana user and that he had lied on federal forms to purchase gun, though he denied there were any guns in his residence. Officers recovered two loaded guns, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia from Herubin’s residence. In a plea agreement, Herubin admitted he possessed the marijuana with the intent to distribute it. Herubin’s cell phone contained photos of marijuana and marijuana products indicating the products were for sale.
Herubin was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Herubin was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Herubin 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.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-36.
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Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced to over Fourteen Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man described as “dangerous and out of control” by the judge was sentenced November 26, 2019, to more than fourteen years in federal prison.
Paul Hoff, age 40, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 13, 2019 guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.
Information at sentencing showed that on February 18, 2019, law enforcement was attempting to arrest Hoff on an outstanding arrest warrant. Officers located Hoff in a Chevy Tahoe. Hoff drove the vehicle towards a car containing law enforcement officers, before swerving and getting stuck on a snowbank. As officers approached the Tahoe on foot, Hoff continued spinning the wheels in an attempt to get unstuck. Hoff refused commands to exit the vehicle and officers had to deploy tasers to take him into custody. Officers found over a 138 grams of methamphetamine and two handguns in the car.
In sentencing Hoff, the District Court noted his long criminal history and prior behavior. Hoff’s first involvement with the criminal justice system came at the age of 10. He has previously been convicted of assault, thefts, interference with official acts, burglary, OWI, disorderly conduct for punching a man in the face several times, drug trafficking, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and escape. Additionally, on August 17, 2018, Hoff fled from law enforcement officers in a car, driving recklessly and dangerously, and striking a parked car. Hoff also tossed a handgun from the car while eluding the police. Officers eventually found a shotgun and a bulletproof vest in the trunk of the car.
Hoff was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Hoff was sentenced to 178 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.
Hoff 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 Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-29.
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Sioux City Bounty Hunter Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawfully Transferring a Gun to a FelonRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man, who was a part-time bounty hunter and cement contractor, was sentenced to one month in federal prison on November 22, 2019, for providing an employee a firearm knowing that employee was a felon.
Troy Cooke, age 47, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 25, 2019, guilty plea to one count of transferring a firearm and ammunition to a prohibited person.
Evidence produced by the United States at the change of plea and sentencing hearings revealed that Cooke allowed felons access to his guns and, on one occasion, actually gave a felon a gun as collateral on a debt.
Cooke was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Cooke was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. He was fined $15,000. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Cooke was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshals on January 2, 2020.
The case was investigated by the Sioux City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-4010.
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Mexican Woman Who Used a Fraudulent Social Security Card Convicted after Jury TrialRead the Press Release
A woman who used a false identification document and someone else’s social security number was convicted by a jury today after a one-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Maria Morales-Martinez, age 38, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Postville, Iowa, was convicted of one count of unlawful use of an identification document and one count of misuse of a social security number. The verdict was returned this morning following about 40 minutes of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that Morales-Martinez used the name, date of birth and Social Security number of another person when completing employment paperwork in August 2016 at a business in Postville, Iowa. Specifically, Morales-Martinez presented the company with a fraudulent Minnesota ID card bearing her picture but the name and date of birth of another person. She also used a Social Security card bearing the name and social security number assigned to that other person when completing state and federal tax forms. Morales-Martinez admitted at trial that she used a second person’s name and social security number when employed at the company between 2010 and 2012, and the current alias name and social security number while employed at the company between August 2016 and December 2018. Morales-Martinez was fired after the company discovered that Morales-Martinez was working using fraudulent documents.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Morales-Martinez was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the verdict was returned and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Morales-Martinez faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and six years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-1013.
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Sioux City Bank Robber Sentenced to Twelve Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man involved in two separate robberies, after several convictions for violent state offenses, was sentenced on November 22, 2019 to twelve years in federal prison.
Phillip White, age 33, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 13, 2019, guilty plea to one count of bank robbery, and one count of Interference with Commerce by Robbery (for the robbery of a Sioux City cab driver).
Evidence produced by the United States at the detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed that just two months after completing a sentence for second degree burglary, on October 12, 2018, White robbed a taxi cab driver with a bb-gun. On December 12, 2018, while on bond for the taxi robbery, he robbed a bank by implying he had a gun by putting his hand in his pocket. He and an accessory then led law enforcement on a chase that created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to others.
Defendant has a history of violence. He has committed numerous assaults and related offenses. He robbed two other cab drivers before his most recent offenses. In one of the earlier taxi cab robberies, White held a knife to the throat of his victim and demanded money. On the second occasion, he held a broken beer bottle to another victim’s throat and demanded money.
White was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. White was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $21,503.11 in restitution. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
White is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Le Mars and Sioux City, Iowa Police Departments. 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 19-4012.
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Cedar Rapids Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison After Stealing Firearms from Grandfather and FriendRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who stole his grandfather’s pistol, was arrested by local authorities, and then just weeks later stole a rifle from his friend’s residence, was sentenced on November 20, 2019, to more than two years in federal prison.
Jeremy Keith Heldt, age 34, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 4, 2019, guilty plea to one count of felon in possession of ammunition.
In a plea agreement, Heldt admitted that, in April 2017, he was driving a truck around the southeast side of Cedar Rapids when he struck a parked car. Heldt was barred from driving at the time. Heldt initially drove away from the scene of the accident, but soon returned to survey the damage, parked the truck, and fled on foot with a duffel bag. A witness followed Heldt, and law enforcement officers eventually found Heldt sitting on the porch of nearby residence. On the porch, officers found the bag, which contained a loaded .45 caliber pistol, associated ammunition, four knives, two ninja throwing stars, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. In the truck, officers found a matching .45 caliber magazine and 19 loose rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. Officers later traced the firearm to Heldt’s grandfather. Heldt admitted taking the firearm from his grandfather.
State authorities released Heldt from jail after he pled guilty to non-firearms related charges and received a 15-day jail sentence. Then, in May 2017, law enforcement officers responded to a burglary of the residence of Heldt’s friend in Hiawatha, Iowa. Heldt had stolen a laptop computer, a motor vehicle, a firearm, deck railing, and a screen door from the residence. Heldt also disassembled his friend’s water heater but left it in his friend’s garage. Officers later found Heldt in Cedar Rapids with four shotgun shells, the stolen laptop, a key to the stolen car, and brass knuckles. At the time of his second arrest, Heldt was wearing a fanny pack with 33 rounds of ammunition. Officers later recovered the stolen car, in which they found the friend’s stolen .22 caliber rifle and matching ammunition.
Heldt has an extensive criminal history dating back to at least 2003. In 2004, Heldt was convicted of felony third-degree burglary in Linn County and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition at that time. That same year, Heldt also was convicted of felony first-degree criminal mischief in Dallas County after he used a stolen handgun to fire multiple rounds of ammunition into a residence. In 2013 and 2015, Heldt was convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in Linn County.
Heldt was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Heldt was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment. Heldt 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.
Heldt 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Hiawatha Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-120.
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Shooting Neighbor’s House with More Than 60 Rounds of Ammunition Results in over Seven Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Cedar County man who shot his neighbor’s house over 60 times was sentenced today in federal court in Cedar Rapids to more than seven years in prison.
Randolph High, age 62, from Stanwood, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 30, 2019 guilty plea for being a felon in possession of ammunition.
In a plea agreement, High admitted that on January 27, 2019, he shot his neighbor’s house over 60 times. The neighbor’s house, vehicles, and camper sustained dozens of bullet impacts. The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office searched High’s home and found magazines for firearms, numerous .22 caliber rounds of ammunition, and 71 expended shell casings for a .22 caliber firearm.
High was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. High was sentenced to 92 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $34,350 in restitution to his neighbor and their insurance company for the damage he caused to their house, vehicles, and other property. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and was investigated by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and 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 19-CR-00033.
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Man with over Thirty Prior Criminal Convictions Sentenced to Federal Prison for Selling CocaineRead the Press Release
An Iowa man who distributed cocaine was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison.
Antonio Robertson, age 43, from Manchester, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a May 31, 2019 guilty plea to distribution of cocaine after a prior felony drug conviction.
Information disclosed at sentencing and at his plea hearing showed that on two occasions in October 2018, Robertson sold cocaine to another person. Robertson has 31 prior criminal convictions, five of which are violent offenses. Two of Robertson’s prior convictions were firearms-related offenses and thirteen of his offenses occurred while he was on probation or parole for another offense.
Robertson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Robertson was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make payment of $100 to the special assessment fund. He must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Manchester Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-00027.
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Illinois Man Who Pulled Gun on His Son’s Mother While Their Son Was in the Room Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A convicted felon from Illinois who unlawfully possessed a gun was sentenced November 21, 2019, to nearly four years in prison.
Korey Russell, age 40, from Hoopeston, Illinois, received the prison sentence after a June 10, 2019 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Information disclosed at sentencing and at a plea hearing showed that on March 12, 2018, Russell went to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home of his young child’s mother. Russell went into the home uninvited and confronted the woman and another man. During the confrontation, Russell produced a loaded gun and “cocked it.” Russell’s young son was in the room at the time. Russell then chased the man from the residence. Outside of the residence, Russell kicked the woman’s vehicle causing thousands of dollars in damages. Russell then fled the area and was eventually arrested by police. Russell’s criminal history includes residential armed burglary, obstruction of justice, harassment, and domestic assault.
Russell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gerber was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make payment of $100 to the special assessment fund. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) through a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. 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 19-CR-00010.
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Waterloo Man Sentenced to More Than Nine Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing HandgunRead the Press Release
A convicted felon who unlawfully possessed a gun was sentenced on November 19, 2019, to 110 months in federal prison.
Diamond Duckings, age 34, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Duckings unlawfully possessed a gun after having two prior felony convictions related to the distribution of drugs. Information at sentencing showed that Duckings fired the handgun out of a car window after leaving a club in the early morning hours.
Duckings was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Duckings was sentenced to an imprisonment term of 110 months. 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.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Schunk and 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 19-CR-2037. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Waterloo Felon with Prior Firearm-Related Convictions Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing HandgunRead the Press Release
A man who unlawfully possessed a firearm after being convicted of a felony was sentenced on November 19, 2019, to four years in federal prison.
Shevin Caston, age 28, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Officers found a loaded handgun underneath a couch cushion while searching Caston’s house. Multiple minor children lived at the house. At the time Caston unlawfully possessed the gun, he had two prior firearm-related convictions.
Caston was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Caston was sentenced to an imprisonment term of 48 months. 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.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Schunk 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 19-CR-2032-LTS. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Trying to Obstruct the Justice System to Help Out His Brother Results in Federal Prison Time for Idaho ManRead the Press Release
An Idaho man who agreed to help his brother try to pay off a victim of his brother’s $2.4 million wire fraud and identity theft scheme was sentenced on November 19, 2019, to two months in federal prison.
David Emerson Smith, age 71, from Pocatello, Idaho, received the prison term after a May 6, 2019, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to obstruct, influence, and impede an official proceeding.
In a plea agreement, David Smith admitted that, from June 2017 through July 2018, he agreed with his brother Darrell Smith to obstruct, influence, and impede Darrell Smith’s federal sentencing hearing in late 2018. While he was in jail awaiting his sentencing hearing in June 2017, Darrell Smith told David Smith in a recorded telephone call that one of the victims of his fraud scheme could “make it really hard” for Darrell Smith if she continued to “complain” to the government. Darrell Smith told David Smith it would be “two extra years” if the victim continued her complaint, but Darrell Smith could get the victim some stock shares within a year. At Darrell Smith’s request, David Smith agreed to contact the victim on the telephone and, in February 2018, David Smith sent a letter to the victim at Darrell Smith’s request. The letter indicated Darrell Smith had $40,000 for the victim, in her children’s names, in accounts at an investment company. The letter also reminded the victim she had “$350,000 in tax credits” and two million shares of an energy company available to her. In truth, the “tax credits” and shares were fraudulent.
Law enforcement officers discovered the scheme to obstruct justice before Darrell Smith’s sentencing. In October 2018, the court found Darrell Smith stole $2.4 million from his investment clients, including $161,800 from the victim whom David Smith contacted at Darrell Smith’s request. The court also found Darrell Smith had obstructed justice and sentenced Darrell Smith to 175 months in federal prison upon his guilty pleas to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
David Smith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. David Smith was sentenced to 2 months’ imprisonment and fined $5,500. He was ordered to make $161,800 in restitution to the victim of his obstruction on a joint and several basis with Darrell Smith. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
David Smith was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal in Boise, Idaho, on January 2, 2020.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-2071.
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Illegal Alien Who Used Another Person’s Name and Social Security Number Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who used another person’s Social Security number to get a job was sentenced today to more than six months in federal prison.
Ernesto Gonzalez-Casas, age 46, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Williamsburg, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 2, 2019, guilty plea to two counts of misuse of a social security number.
At the guilty plea, Gonzalez-Casas admitted that on July 12, 2017, and September 5, 2017, he used someone else’s name and social security number on state and federal tax forms when completing employment forms in Williamsburg, Iowa.
On December 7, 2018, Gonzalez-Casas came to the attention of law enforcement when he tried to transfer title to a vehicle under an alias name at the Iowa County Treasurer’s Office. The alias name was in the Iowa Department of Transportation records system as possibly being a stolen identity as reported by the true victim. Gonzalez-Casas told law enforcement officers that he was a United States citizen born in Texas and falsely claimed he had previously filed a report in Iowa County of the identity theft of his alias name. Gonzalez-Casas’ fingerprints showed he was not the person he claimed to be. Instead, immigration records showed he was a Mexican citizen illegally present in the United States and not a United States citizen as he claimed. On June 17, 2019, Gonzalez-Casas was convicted in the Iowa District Court for Iowa County of making a false report to law enforcement and sentenced to 180 days’ imprisonment.
Gonzalez-Casas was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gonzalez-Casas was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Gonzalez-Casas is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-67.
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Felon Sent Back to Prison for Four More Years After Possessing Firearm Three Weeks After Being Paroled from State CustodyRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to four years in federal prison.
Christopher Forbes, age 27, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 13, 2019, guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence during the case showed police located a firearm in Forbes’ vehicle after conducting a traffic stop. Forbes was on parole at the time, having been convicted of first degree burglary, assault on a peace officer with a dangerous weapon, eluding, and domestic abuse assault.
Forbes was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Forbes was sentenced to 48 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.
Forbes 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 Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-0012.
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Marijuana User Sentenced to Nearly Two Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
An illegal user of controlled substances who unlawfully possessed a handgun was sentenced today to nearly two years in federal prison.
Torey Dunn, age 19, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 1, 2019, guilty plea to being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm.
Information at sentencing showed that on August 2, 2018, Dunn was a passenger in a car that was stopped shortly after midnight by the Waterloo Police Department. As the car stopped, Dunn and another man got out of the car and ran in separate directions. Officers chased Dunn and caught him. Officers also found a loaded 9mm handgun in the bushes along the path Dunn ran. Dunn told officers he had the gun for protection. Dunn admitted he smoked marijuana and he tested positive for marijuana.
Dunn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Dunn was sentenced to 20 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.
Dunn 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.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-2009.
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Felon Cannot Hide from Nearly Seven Years in Federal Prison for Third Conviction for Unlawfully Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
A convicted felon who was twice previously convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm was sentenced November 14, 2019, to nearly seven years in federal prison following his third such conviction.
Jamaal Baker, age 41, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 30, 2019 guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a felon.
At the guilty plea, Baker admitted he unlawfully possessed a handgun on January 23, 2019. Evidence at sentencing established that Baker took a gun to his ex-wife’s house. Baker and his ex-wife got into a heated argument. During the argument, Baker told his ex-wife that he was going to kill her and then have the police kill him. The ex-wife left the house along with minor children that were present. As they were walking away from the house, Baker pulled the handgun out and at least one round was fired.
Police responded to the house after a neighbor, who operated a daycare in her home, called 9-1-1. After setting up a perimeter around the house, officers learned that Baker had fled the home and went to a local convenience store. Officers found him in the store attempting to hide from them in a walk-in freezer.
Baker has a long criminal history starting at age 17 while he was living in Chicago. From age 18 through age 32, Baker was convicted of five drug offenses, two battery offenses, and aggravated vehicular hijacking for being part of an incident involving armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping. He was also twice convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Baker was a member of the Gangster Disciples gang during this time.
Baker was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Baker was sentenced to 81 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.
Baker 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.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-2023.
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Compounding Pharmacy and Its Owner Pay More Than $200,000 to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
A compounding pharmacy headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, along with its owner, agreed to pay $205,000 to resolve allegations that the pharmacy submitted false claims to Tricare, the health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. Neither the owner nor the pharmacy admitted liability as part of the settlement.
Midwest Compounders, Inc., and its owner, Troy DeLong, agreed to settle allegations that claims submitted to Tricare from June 2012 to December 2014 were fraudulent for purposes of the False Claims Act. The United States alleged that certain claims for compound medications during this period resulted from unlawful arrangements between the pharmacy and prescribers or marketers, or were otherwise improperly inflated in that the claims sought payment for medically unnecessary dosages or for redundant active ingredients.
The allegations were made in a qui tam, or whistleblower, lawsuit. The lawsuit was brought under the False Claims Act, which punishes violators who submit false claims to the government or who knowingly attempt to avoid an obligation to repay federal funds. The whistleblower provisions allow private parties who have knowledge of fraud committed against the government to file suit on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. The individual who filed this lawsuit received a share of the total amount recovered.
The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jake Schunk and investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Sten v. Midwest Compounders, et al.
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Man Involved in Methamphetamine Conspiracy Sentenced to More Than Five Years’ PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who was involved in distributing pounds of methamphetamine throughout Northern Iowa was sentenced on November 13, 2019, to more than five years in federal prison.
Jose Ordaz, age 27, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 26, 2019 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
In a plea agreement, Ordaz admitted that beginning in December 2014, he became involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. During his involvement in the conspiracy, he was responsible for distributing at least eight pounds of ice methamphetamine.
Ordaz was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade. Ordaz was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ordaz is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force (Waterloo Police Department; Cedar Falls Police Department; Waverly Police Department; Bremer County Sheriff’s Office; Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office; LaPorte City Police Department; Evansdale Police Department; Hudson Police Department), Mid Iowa Drug Task Force (Marshalltown Police Department; Marshall County Sheriff’s Office; Tama County), and Dubuque Drug Task Force (Dubuque Police Department; Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office).
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-2025.
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Attorney General Announces Launch of Project Guardian – A Nationwide Strategic Plan to Reduce Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.
Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.
“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”
“My office has worked very closely with our outstanding local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to target and prosecute the most dangerous and violent offenders in our communities,” said United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. “It is our hope that Project Guardian will help create even more opportunities to work together and make our communities safer. I look forward to continuing and strengthening our partnerships as we work to reduce gun violence and keep guns out of the wrong hands.”
“ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.”
Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:
- Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.
- Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.
Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.
- Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.
- Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety.
Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.
- Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.
Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.
For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download
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- Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.
Cedar Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin Laced with FentanylRead the Press Release
A man who intended to distribute nearly 60 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl pled guilty on November 4, 2019, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Lashon M. Jefferson, age 22, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance containing heroin and fentanyl.
In a plea agreement, Jefferson admitted that on July 25, 2019, and again on July 30, 2019, he was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. On both occasions, Jefferson entered the Linn County Correctional Center in possession of heroin laced with fentanyl. On July 30, Jefferson possessed nearly 56 grams of the fentanyl-laced heroin. Jefferson admitted that he intended to distribute some or all of the drugs to another person.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Jefferson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Jefferson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-91-LTS.
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Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
The former treasurer of a homeowner’s association who defrauded his neighbors out of $124,524.57 was sentenced October 31, 2019, to 18 months in federal prison.
Wayne P. Jones, age 55, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after he pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. In a plea agreement, Jones admitted that in November 2011, shortly after becoming the treasurer of his homeowners’ association, he opened a new bank account where he had sole access. Jones then deposited member dues and other income into the new account, and used the funds for his own purposes. Jones concealed his fraud by under reporting deposits and disbursements to the homeowners association.
Jones was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Jones was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to make $124,524.57 in restitution to the home owners association. He must also pay a fine of $7,500 and serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Jones was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on November 14, 2019. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 19-CR-4.
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Jury Convicts Minnesota Man of Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
A man who traveled from Minnesota to Iowa to have sex with minors was convicted by a jury on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, after a three-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Terrance Nordwall, age 50, of Faribault, Minnesota, was convicted of attempted sex trafficking of children, attempted enticement of minors, and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
The evidence at trial showed that, in March and April of 2019, Nordwall exchanged text messages with a man who he believed was a “pimp” with a 14-year-old girl and a 15‑year‑old girl available. The man was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Nordwall agreed to pay the pimp $200 for a half hour with the two girls, and he drove to the Cedar Rapids area, where he met law enforcement officers.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Nordwall remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Nordwall faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, $15,300 in special assessments, and supervised release for 5 years to life following any imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Hiawatha Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 19-57.
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Escaping from Halfway House Leads to Additional Federal Prison TimeRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who was escaped from federal custody at the Gerald R. Hinzman Center in Cedar Rapids was sentenced to additional time in federal prison on October 29, 2019, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Ramius Hardiman, age 26, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 11, 2019 guilty plea to escape from federal custody.
In a plea agreement, Hardiman admitted that beginning September 14, 2018, he was in federal custody pursuant to federal court order as a condition of his supervised release sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On November 15, 2018, Hardiman left the facility claiming he was going to work and never returned. Hardiman was found and arrested in North Liberty, Iowa, on January 9, 2019.
Hardiman was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Hardiman was sentenced to serve an additional eight months’ imprisonment, which must be served after he finishes serving a fourteen-month term of imprisonment imposed for violating his supervised release. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and was investigated by United States Marshals Service and the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force, with the assistance of the North Liberty Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR-19-00050.
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U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan Announces Progress in Making our Communities Safer through Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
Two years ago, the Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the department’s violent crime reduction strategy. 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.
Throughout the past two years, we have partnered with all levels of law enforcement, local organizations, and members of the community to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. According to FBI’s 2018 Crime in the United States Report released this week, the violent crime rate decreased for the second consecutive year, down 3.9 percent from the 2017 numbers.
“The revitalized Project Safe Neighborhoods program is a major success,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “It packs a powerful punch by combining advanced data with local leadership, further reducing violence in communities across the country and improving overall public safety. U.S. Attorneys continue to focus their enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals and work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal police. The Justice Department’s relationships across the board have never been stronger.”
“Reducing violent crime and protecting our communities has been and remains a top priority for my office,” said United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. “Our Project Safe Neighborhood partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement has made our streets safer. But the fight is not over. We will continue to work together to bring violent and dangerous offenders to justice.”
As we celebrate the two-year anniversary of the revitalized PSN program, here are some of the highlights of our PSN actions over the past year:
Enforcement Actions
In the Northern District of Iowa, we continue to work in partnership with local and federal law enforcement agencies. In June of this year, we announced charges and arrests in thirty-two federal gun cases. The charges were brought as a joint effort with the following agencies as a continued commitment to prosecute the most dangerous offenders in our communities: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Dubuque Police Department, the United States Marshal’s Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Waterloo Police Department.
Community Partnerships
The Iowa SAFE Task Force was created in January of 2018. The task force is comprised of members of the US Attorney’s Office, Black Hawk County Attorney’s Office, Department of Corrections, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Waterloo Police Department, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, University of Northern Iowa, United States Probation Office, Unity Point, Family & Children’s Counsel of Black Hawk County, Center for Violence Prevention, Iowa WORKS, Friends of the Family, Cedar Valley Iowa Works, Violent Crimes Program, Catholic Charities, and multiple community members. The group meets bi-weekly to discuss and implement strategies to deter and reduce gun crimes in the Waterloo area.
Improvements to Community Safety
- For the second consecutive year, the estimated number of violent crimes in the nation decreased when compared with the previous year’s statistics, according to FBI figures released today. In 2018, the number of violent crimes was down 3.3 percent from the 2017 number.
- The 2018 statistics also show the estimated rate of violent crime was 368.9 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. The violent crime rate fell 3.9 percent when compared with the 2017 rate.
These enforcement actions and partnerships are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.Social Media Posts Lead to Federal Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
A Waterloo man who was observed on two separate occasions with guns on social media by the police was sentenced today to more than a year in federal prison.
Jumonie Dontez Wilson, age 18, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 17, 2019, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user.
In a plea agreement, Wilson admitted he possessed guns on two separate occasions in January 2019, at a time he was a marijuana user. On both occasions, Wilson was observed on social media possessing a gun just prior to police finding him with the gun. Other social media posts showed Wilson in possession of and using marijuana. During the first incident, Wilson threw a gun out the window of his residence as officers approached to conduct a search. At sentencing, the court found that Wilson possessed the firearms in connection with the crimes of possessing a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and carrying weapons.
Wilson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Wilson was sentenced to 21 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.
Wilson 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 Cedar Falls Police Department, and the Waterloo Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-02018.
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Former Iowa Army National Guard Member Sentenced to Federal Prison After Buying Guns with Fraudulent ChecksRead the Press Release
A Marion man who lied about his drug use to the Linn County Sheriff in order to obtain a permit to carry, and then purchased multiple guns with fraudulent checks, was sentenced October 28, 2019, to nearly three years in federal prison.
Edinton Grugbay Wright, age 23, from Marion, Iowa, originally from Monrovia, Liberia, received the prison term after a May 9, 2019, guilty plea to one count of a possessing a firearm as a drug user.
Evidence presented at multiple court hearings showed that, in September 2017, Wright applied for a permit to carry weapons from the Linn County Sheriff. Wright lied to the Sheriff by falsely stating that he had not unlawfully used any controlled substances in the previous twelve months. In truth, Wright had used marijuana while a member of the Iowa Army National Guard. The Iowa Army National Guard later discharged Wright in part because of his drug use.
Between October 2017 and July 2018, Wright used the fraudulently obtained gun permit to purchase seven firearms from Linn County businesses. Wright also used phony checks to fund the purchases.
On October 21, 2018, Wright was involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend in Cedar Rapids. While arresting Wright on an unrelated warrant in state court, law enforcement officers found a gun and a small amount of marijuana on his person. In the course of the investigation, officers recovered all but one of the seven guns, which Wright often pawned shortly after purchasing them.
In March 2019, after a grand jury indicted Wright, officers arrested him on a warrant. Wright was driving a rental car and attempting to pass another fraudulent check at a local financial institution at the time of his arrest. Unbeknownst to officers, Wright had a gun under the seat of his rental car. In jail calls after his arrest, Wright asked his girlfriend to work with his mother to retrieve the gun before the rental car company found it. Wright also spoke with a federal felon about selling the gun to the felon for $300.
Wright was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Wright was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $900 in restitution. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Wright is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. Wright was detained shortly after his release in federal court after violating the terms of his pretrial release. Among other things, Wright violated a no contact order and repeatedly had contact with his girlfriend against the court’s order not to do so. In April 2019, officers responded to an incident in which defendant was driving a car erratically near Westdale in Cedar Rapids, and his girlfriend was shouting for help out the car’s window and claiming the Wright was assaulting her.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-34.
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Webster County Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who distributed cocaine and possessed a gun in furtherance of his drug trafficking pled guilty October 22, 2019, in federal court in Sioux City.
Quinn Schleimer, 21, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of two counts of distribution of cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
At the plea hearing, Schleimer admitted that on three occasions in 2017 he distributed 1/8 ounce of powder cocaine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. Schleimer also admitted to selling about 4 ½ ounces of cocaine and 10 pounds of marijuana in 2017. During a search of Schleimer’s residence, officers seized two loaded shotguns.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Schleimer was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. On the drug convictions Schleimer faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. On the firearm conviction, Schleimer faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years’ (which must be consecutive to any term imposed on the other two counts), and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of not more than three years of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory, 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 17-3051. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Tama Man Who Assaulted Daughter’s Boyfriend with a Shovel Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Tama man who hit another man with a shovel and who spit on and bit police officers was sentenced today to twelve months in prison.
Lucius Bear, age 42, from Tama, Iowa, received the prison sentence after a May 16, 2019 guilty plea to assault by striking, beating, or wounding.
Information disclosed at sentencing and at his plea hearing showed that on February 17, 2019, Bear, while on the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa Meskwaki Settlement, got into an argument with his daughter’s boyfriend. Bear hit the boyfriend over the head with a garden shovel containing a metal blade. This caused a large cut to the victim’s head, requiring fifteen staples to close. Officers who responded to the scene tried to take Bear into custody. Bear fought with the officers, biting one on the arm and spitting on the other.
Bear was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Bear was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make payment of $25 to the special assessment fund. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Bear has over 30 prior criminal convictions, including two operating while intoxicated and some relating to violent assaults.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and was investigated by the Meskwaki 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 19-CR-00037.
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Sioux City Woman to Federal Prison for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced October 25, 2019, to more than seven years in federal prison.
Winona Freemont, 35, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on June 11, 2019, to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine within a protected location.
At the plea hearing, Freemont admitted that from about July 2017 through April 2018 she participated in the distribution of more than 7 pounds of mixed methamphetamine in Sioux City. Freemont distributed methamphetamine at a residence that was within 1000 feet of Cook Park. Freemont admitted that she and others involved in the conspiracy would travel to Omaha, NE to obtain up to pounds of methamphetamine to bring back to Sioux City to distribute to others.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Freemont remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison. Freemont was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve 6-year term of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde 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 19-4018. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft of Mail MatterRead the Press Release
Cassandra Rheuport, 30, from Rolfe, Iowa, pled guilty to theft of mail by a postal employee, on October 23, 2019, in United States District Court in Sioux City.
Rheuport admitted that from about February 2018 through July 28, 2018, she opened mail and/or stole mail entrusted to her as an employee of the United States Postal Service. Rheuport stole at least $395, as well as narcotic medications prescribed for others. At the time of the thefts, Rheuport was a city carrier assistant assigned to the Pocahontas Post Office.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Rheuport remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing. Rheuport faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of up to $250,000, a mandatory special assessment of $100, and a term of supervised release of up to one year following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR19-3051. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Missouri Man Sentenced to Nearly Two Years in Prison for His Role in “Field of Schemes” Organic Grain Fraud Involving More than $120 Million in Total Fraudulent SalesRead the Press Release
A Missouri man who assisted in perpetrating the largest organic grain fraud scheme in United States history was sentenced today to nearly two years in federal prison. Another Missouri man and three farmers from Nebraska were previously sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a scheme to defraud customers across the country.
John Burton, age 52, from Clarksdale, Missouri, received the prison term after a May 10, 2019 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Evidence at sentencing showed that Burton grew grain that was not organic and sold it to Randy Constant, knowing that Constant was going to market and sell the grain as organic. By selling his grain to Constant, Burton was able to receive a premium, selling the grain for more than he could have on the open market. Burton also worked for Constant, raising grain on farm fields that Constant either owned or rented. While doing this work, Burton often sprayed Constant’s fields with chemicals and fertilizers, even though he knew those substances were not allowed on organic fields. Burton either sold or raised over $5,000,000 in crops for Constant. Overall, Constant’s scheme involved at least $142,433,475 in grain sales, and the vast majority of those sales were fraudulent in that the grain he sold was not organic even though it was marketed as organic.
Burton was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Burton was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment. He was also ordered to forfeit over $1,000,000 in proceeds from his crime and was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Schunk and Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number are 19-CR-2025.
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Iowa Man Cannot Run Away from Prison Time for Dealing DrugsRead the Press Release
A man who trafficked meth in Iowa and had numerous prior criminal convictions was sentenced October 23, 2019, to 14 years in federal prison.
Chase Kincaid Secrist, age 26, from Mechanicsville, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 6, 2019, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute controlled meth.
In a plea agreement, Secrist admitted he was part of a conspiracy to sell methamphetamine in Iowa in 2018. In September 2018, officers attempted to stop Secrist while he was driving. Secrist refused to stop and then led officers on a high-speed chase. The chase lasted 23 minutes. During the chase, Secrist threw a gun and meth from his car.
Secrist’s criminal history includes a felony child endangerment conviction and a felony burglary conviction. Secrist has also been convicted multiple times for operating cars without owners consent, trespass, public intoxication, voluntary absence, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, leaving the scene of an accident, and absence from custody
Secrist was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Secrist was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment. Secrist must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Secrist 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 Tipton Police Department, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine County Drug Taskforce, and the University of Iowa Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-cr-122.
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Cedar Rapids Man Receives Second Conviction in Federal Court for Unlawfully Possessing a Gun After Armed Home Invasion to Steal Money and DrugsRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who went with an associate to rob individuals of their money and drugs using a firearm was convicted by a jury October 24, 2019, after a 4-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Carl McArthur, age 38, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being in possession of a firearm, specifically a Taurus .45LC/.410 caliber “Judge” handgun after having been convicted of a 2003 misdemeanor domestic abuse assault in Linn County, Iowa, and a 2009 federal, felony conviction for possessing a firearm as a drug user and as a person with a prior conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. The verdict was returned on October 24, 2019, following about nine hours of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that on March 17, 2018, McArthur and an associate entered a residence on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids with firearms to rob the occupants of the house of any money or methamphetamine that was in their possession. Three of the occupants of the house testified that McArthur and his associate forced their way into the residence, assaulted them, and threatened to shoot them and pour hot grease on them in an effort to get money and drugs from them. One of the occupants called 911, and officers from the Cedar Rapids Police Department responded within minutes. The officers found McArthur inside the residence, and his associate was outside. The unknown associate fled the scene, leaving behind the ski mask he wore to conceal his identity. Upon searching the residence officers found a Taurus .45LC/.410 caliber “Judge” handgun, a 9mm handgun, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. McArthur remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. McArthur 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 Attorneys Ashley Corkery and Patrick Reinert and was investigated by Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-0102.
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Mexican Man Sentenced to Prison Following Deportation and Document FraudRead the Press Release
A Mexican man who had been deported, illegally returned to the United States, and then used false identification documents to obtain a job was sentenced today to almost three months in federal prison.
Jose Martinez-Lopez, age 47, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in West Liberty, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 22, 2019, guilty plea to one count of unlawful use of identification documents, one count of misuse of a Social Security number, and one count of illegal reentry into the United States.
At the guilty plea, Martinez-Lopez admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and that he illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Martinez-Lopez was deported in April 1992 following a conviction for theft in El Paso County, Texas.
Martinez-Lopez also admitted he used a fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” when he completed employment and tax forms in March 2019 at a business in Stanwood, Iowa. On the employment application, Martinez-Lopez falsely claimed to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States. The Social Security account number on the card used by Martinez-Lopez was fictitious. The Alien Registration number on the “green card” was issued to another person. On July 11, 2019, Martinez-Lopez was found and arrested by immigration agents at the business in Stanwood where Martinez-Lopez was employed.
Martinez-Lopez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Martinez-Lopez was sentenced to 80 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Martinez-Lopez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-75.
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