Northern District of Iowa
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
“Untapped Workforce” Job Fairs Offer Ex-Offenders a Second ChanceRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS and SIOUX CITY—Two upcoming job fairs will provide individuals with a criminal record the opportunity to meet with employers willing to give them a second chance. The “Untapped Workforce” job fairs, sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, are free to attend, and will feature employers from multiple industries. Participating employers include employers in the food industry, retail, manufacturing, public sector, staffing agencies and more.
Nearly one out of every four adults in this country has a criminal record. Because of their criminal record, some of these individuals have a difficult time finding employment, making it hard for them to support themselves and their families. Because employment has been shown to dramatically reduce the likelihood that an individual will commit another crime, employment opportunities for these individuals not only helps them reintegrate into society, but also increases community safety and lowers the prison population. Ex-offenders often possess valuable workforce skills and are routinely cited as some of the most loyal and hard-working employees, when given a second chance.
The job fairs are the second phase of an initiative to decrease recidivism through increased employment. This first phase of the initiative featured three employer workshops that were held in Cedar Rapids, Fort Dodge, and Sioux City in late July. During these workshops, hundreds of employers learned about the benefits of hiring individuals with criminal records, and how to mitigate any associated risks.
United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau addressed the importance of this initiative stating, “The public and private sectors across the country and across Iowa are collaborating to help break the cycle of crime by promoting employment opportunities for those who have served their period of incarceration. The Department of Justice supports successful reentry as an essential part of its mission to promote public safety. Public safety is enhanced when we help individuals return to productive, law-abiding lives. That’s a mission we can all get behind.”
The job fairs will be held on Friday, September 23 at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, and on Monday, September 26 at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center in Sioux City. Both job fairs will run from 9:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. Job seekers do not need to pre-register. There are a limited number of spaces still available for employers. Interested employers should contact Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot at 319-363-6333, as soon as possible. There is no charge for employers to reserve a booth at the job fair.
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Law Enforcement Gather to Receive an Update on Eastern Iowa Heroin InitiativeRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—A year ago federal, state and local law enforcement met at the Cedar Rapids Police Department to discuss the opioid and heroin epidemic crossing the country, which was making its way into Eastern Iowa. Yesterday, the group reassembled to receive updates and to discuss the way ahead, including enforcement actions, prevention, and treatment. It is estimated that there are over 100 overdoses deaths each day in the United States, with more than three out of five overdose deaths involving opioids.
Also yesterday, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli, joined parents who lost children to overdose to discuss Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. Parents from across the country met at the White House with Secretary Vilsack and Director Botticelli to share their experiences and efforts to address the opioid epidemic.
President Obama proclaimed September 18-24, 2016, as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. During this week, Attorney General Lynch and other Justice Department officials—as well as U.S. Attorney’s Offices and Bureau of Prison facilities across the country—will participate in over 250 different events highlighting the importance of prevention, enforcement, and treatment. The Department of Agriculture will host state forums on the epidemic in Connecticut and Colorado. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald will lead a forum in Washington, DC, on treatment and support for veterans with opioid use disorder. (The Proclamation is attached.)
During yesterday’s gathering of law enforcement at CRPD, United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau provided a summary of the key points discussed at the National Heroin Conference, which was held in Minneapolis, MN earlier in the month. At that conference, the emerging problem of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is blamed for a surge of deaths in some parts of the country—including the recent overdose death of Prince—was highlighted at the conference. Speakers at the conference indicated that a multipronged approach was necessary to keep more people from becoming addicted. Techau noted, “We are in the midst of an opioid crisis in our country. Iowa is not immune from problems created by heroin and opioid abuse. A multidisciplinary approach that includes federal, state, and local community agencies is needed to maximize the prevention, law enforcement, and treatment dimensions to meet this challenge.”
CRPD Officer and Coordinator of the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative, Al Fear, discussed his efforts to engage and encourage communities to become active partners in fighting back this threat. Citizen involvement at Town Halls held across Eastern Iowa have heard from medical and social service professionals, as well as law enforcement and prosecutors. The FBI and DEA documentary, Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict, has been shown. A “Call to Action” has been introduced during each community meeting. The pill take back initiative was also updated, which offers Iowans year around opportunities to discard unused, expired and unwanted medications at locations around the state. To find those locations, access the website above and select the same link. Other program initiatives and law changes were discussed. To learn more about these initiatives, visit: www.facebook.com/EasternIowaHeroinInitiative.
Director Dale Woolery with the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy also provided updates on the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy’s initiatives and programs.
The meeting closed with a discussion of the way ahead. Training initiatives with local law enforcement to better understand the administration of Narcan were highlighted. Future town halls and public gatherings will continue to be used to engage and encourage area communities to join the fight against this threat.
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Mexican Citizen Sentenced to over Two Years in Prison for Identity TheftRead the Press Release
A woman who stole the identity of a United States citizen was sentenced Friday to more than two years in federal prison.
Elida Yepez-Alvarez, age 32, a Mexican citizen illegally residing in Marshalltown, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 23, 2016, guilty plea to one count of misuse of a Social Security Number and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The evidence showed that Yepez-Alvarez was convicted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa in 2006 of illegally using the name and Social Security Number of a United States citizen to obtain employment in Marshalltown. In September 2008, an immigration court ordered Yepez-Alvarez to depart the United States by January 7, 2009, but she failed to leave the country as ordered. On November 3, 2014, Yepez-Alvarez illegally used the name and Social Security Number of a different United States citizen to obtain employment in Tama. On May 17, 2016, Yepez-Alvarez was arrested by immigration agents in Marshalltown. At that time, Yepez-Alvarez turned over to agents a Social Security card, a Missouri identification card bearing her photo, and a birth certificate all in the name of the U.S. citizen whose identity she knowingly used.
Yepez-Alvarez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Yepez-Alvarez was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Yepez-Alvarez 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 Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the 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 16-CR-37.
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Media Advisory: Tackling the Opioid & Heroin EpidemicRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative, Mason City Police Department, Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, and Mason City Youth Task Force has scheduled a community event on September 21st to discuss the heroin epidemic making its way into Eastern Iowa and beyond. It is estimated that there are over 100 overdoses deaths each day, with more than three out of five overdose deaths involving opioids. The greater Mason City area and surrounding communities are not immune to this threat.
Viewed as a national challenge requiring a community solution, the meeting will bring the community together to exchange information and to discuss strategies to address the epidemic plaguing our state. A special showing of the FBI and DEA documentary, Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict, will be shown. This 49-minute film presents a compilation of heart-wrenching first-person accounts by addicts and family members of addicts about their experiences. A “Call to Action” will be introduced to the community by the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative. Visit: www.faceboook.com/EasternIowaHeroinInitiative, to learn more.
A representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be present. The event is open to the public.
Event Details
When: Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Where: The Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401
Time: Begins at 6:00 p.m., and ends at 8:00 p.m.
Press wishing to attend should contact AUSA Steve Young at 319-731-4037, or by emailing him at [email protected].
Dubuque Woman Sentenced to Prison for Obstructing JusticeRead the Press Release
A woman who lied to Deputy United States Marshals about the location of a federal fugitive was sentenced on September 16, 2016, to 10 months in federal prison.
Vivian Rochelle Weakley, age 28, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 29, 2016, guilty plea to one count of obstruction of justice.
In a plea agreement, Weakley admitted that on April 19, 2016, she knew Antwain Deshaun Spratt was inside her residence in Dubuque when Deputy United States Marshals arrived at the residence looking to arrest Spratt on an outstanding federal arrest warrant. Weakley falsely denied knowing Spratt, and claimed there was no one else in the home. Shortly thereafter, Spratt was found hiding in an upstairs bedroom closet. An unloaded handgun was found in Spratt’s clothes in a hamper right outside the closet.
Weakley was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Weakley was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. She must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Weakley was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal in October 2016.
The case is being investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Dubuque Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-30-LRR.
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Dubuque Man Sentenced to over Two Years Prison for Identity TheftRead the Press Release
A man who stole the identity of another person was sentenced last Friday to more than two years in federal prison.
Peter Eli George, age 34, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 2, 2016, guilty plea to one count of misuse of a Social Security Number and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The evidence showed George used a birth certificate and a Social Security card of a real person to obtain a State of Iowa identification card on June 11, 2015. On September 23, 2015, George used the documents to obtain a State of Iowa driver’s license. In January 2016, George used the fraudulent driver’s license when stopped by police in Illinois. George also used the victim’s identity when seeking medical treatment. The victim of the identity theft reported that he had his tax refunds withheld, several fraudulent lines of credit were opened up using his identity, and his medical coverage was used by someone else. When the victim confronted George by phone, George threatened the victim and told the victim to stop using his identity. George later filed a complaint against the victim with the Social Security Administration and a credit reporting agency. George had previously been convicted of forgery, theft, conspiracy to violate the drug laws, grand larceny of an auto, and taking a vehicle without owner’s consent. Three of those convictions were under another alias, the name of another real person.
George was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. George was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment. A special assessment of $200 was imposed. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
George 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 the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection, Iowa Department of Transportation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-1009-LRR.
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Iowa Woman Sentenced to Prison for Making a False Statement in an Immigration PetitionRead the Press Release
A woman who made a false statement in an immigration petition was sentenced today to more than three months in federal prison.
Tamie Marie Samuels, age 46, from North Liberty, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 9, 2016, jury verdict finding her guilty of one count of making a false statement in an immigration matter.
The evidence at trial showed that on March 11, 2015, Samuels filed an immigration petition to help her fourth husband, who she married on February 3, 2015, gain legal status to remain in the United States. Samuels’ husband is from Jamaica and he entered the United States on a visitor visa on February 1, 2015. In the immigration petition, Samuels falsely claimed she had never filed a petition for an alien relative before. Samuels had previously filed a petition for an alien relative in 1997 for her second husband who was from Peru. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviews immigration petitions and investigates whether the marital relationships indicate marriage fraud. By denying that she filed a previous immigration petition, USCIS was unaware of Samuels previous filing which could have impacted USCIS’ review of the new petition. The investigation of Samuels began in February 2015 when Homeland Security Investigations learned that Samuels had booked a flight and given her third husband’s U.S. passport to another individual to use to attempt to illegally enter the United States from an island in the Caribbean in May 2014.
Samuels was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Samuels was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Samuels was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on October 10, 2016.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 16-CR-0001.
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Mason City Dental Office Manager Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly $500,000 from Two DentistsRead the Press Release
An office manager of a small dental practice in Mason City, Iowa who stole nearly $500,000 from her employer over the course of almost a decade pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Pamela Harris f/k/a “Pamela Mahoney,” 58, from Mason City, Iowa, was convicted of Wire Fraud. In a plea agreement, Harris admitted she was a trusted employee of the dental practice for approximately 21 years, from about 1993 until 2014. During such time, she had sole responsibility for the practice’s day-to-day finances. She was fired in 2014 after her fraud was discovered.
The two dentists that formed the practice authorized the creation of rubber stamps bearing their signatures to pay for legitimate expenses. However, the dentists always required Harris to obtain authorization before using the rubber stamps on a check to pay a bill. At no time did the dentists authorize Harris to create checks and use their rubber signature stamps to pay for her personal expenses without their knowledge.
Beginning no later than July 2005, and continuing through about May 2014, Harris devised and executed a scheme to defraud the dentists and their practice. She used the dentists’ rubber signature stamps without their authorization to create forged checks drawn on the practice’s bank account. By means of these forged checks, Harris caused the practice’s bank to make electronic funds transfers by wire directly into her bank account or into the accounts of third parties, including credit card companies, to pay for personal expenses that she or her dependents had incurred. It was also part of Harris’s scheme to maintain and use various credit card accounts in the name of the dental practice to pay for personal expenses without the authorization of the dentists. From time to time, Harris attempted to disguise the illegitimate payments by causing checks to be drawn close in time and in amounts identical to the legitimate rent expenses of the LLC.
Harris admitted that, in May 2012, she forged a check bearing the signatures of the dentists to pay for a $4,000 white plastic fence at her home. In total, Harris admitted to stealing at least $474,915.54 from the dentists and their practice. Her actions caused the dentists such substantial financial hardship that they needed to take out multiple lines of credit at local financial institutions to keep their dental practice in business. Harris has agreed to make full restitution to her victims, as well as forfeit and abandon the proceeds of her crime.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Harris remains free on certain conditions of release pending sentencing. Harris faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a maximum fine of twice gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense, or $250,000, whichever is greater, a $100 in special assessment, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mason City Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-3029-LRR.
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Three Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Cold Case MurderRead the Press Release
The three men responsible for Tony “T-Bone” Canfield’s death were sentenced to Federal Prison.
Devery Hibbler, age 26, from Dumas, Arkansas, Robert Beaver, age 35, from Sioux City, Iowa, and Courtland Clark, age 30, from Flowery Branch, Georgia, received their prison terms after June 10, 2016, guilty pleas. Hibbler, Beaver, and Clark each pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery. In addition Clark and Hibbler also pled guilty to use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death.
Evidence at the change of plea hearings revealed: at about 11:00 pm on May 1, 2011, in Sioux City, Iowa, Beaver, Clark, and Hibbler, armed with a single loaded handgun, entered Tony Canfield's home to rob him of his marijuana and his marijuana proceeds. Beaver beat and held Canfield's wife while Clark and Hibbler struggled with, and physically robbed Canfield. Canfield resisted his attackers and attempted to escape the robbery by fleeing from his home. Canfield did not make it to safety; he was shot to death on his front porch by Hibbler.
The three defendants escaped the crime scene and successfully avoided detection for nearly five years. They were charged in a Superseding Indictment on April, 19, 2016.
Hibbler and Beaver were sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Devery Hibbler was sentenced to 420 months’
imprisonment, Robert Beaver was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment, and Courtland Clark was sentenced to 252 months’ imprisonment. Hibbler must serve a five-year term of supervised release after prison. Beaver must serve a three-year term of supervised release after prison, and Clark must serve a five-year term of supervised release after prison. There is no parole in the federal system. Hibbler and Clark were each ordered to pay a $200 special assessment, and Beaver was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
United States Attorney Kevin Techau stated:
“I would like to commend the hard work and perseverance of the law enforcement officers and agents that investigated this case. The FBI and Sioux City Police department spent hundreds of hours collecting evidence and tracking down witnesses from numerous states. Because of their hard work and cooperation, a difficult murder case has been solved, and the perpetrators brought to justice.”
All three are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sioux City Iowa Police Department, and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. 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 16-4009.
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Cedar Rapids Woman Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft, Stealing from the Government, and Lying to Receive Housing AssistanceRead the Press Release
A woman who unlawfully used another person’s identity to file a fraudulent tax return and steal money from the government pled guilty last week in federal court in Cedar Rapids. She also pled guilty to lying to a government agency in order to receive housing assistance benefits.
Kaeisha Robinson, 39, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of theft of government property, and one count of making false statements to a government agency.
In a plea agreement, Robinson admitted that from May 2011 to February 2013, she filed numerous false and fraudulent tax returns. She further admitted that she filed these returns in both her own name and the names of others, some of whom were unaware that she was using their identities to file fraudulent returns. Robinson also admitted that as a result of these fraudulent returns, she received refunds from the Internal Revenue Service and stole money from the government. Finally, Robinson admitted that from October 2011 through July 2013, she lied on forms she completed in order to receive Section 8 housing assistance by failing to report all of her income. This resulted in Robinson’s receipt of assistance to which she would not have been entitled had she been truthful.
“Investigating refund fraud and identity theft is a priority for IRS Criminal Investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Karl Stiften. “Stealing identities and filing false tax returns is a crime that hurts innocent taxpayers. We are serious about holding those accountable who attempt to defraud the government.”
“This office will continue to work with the IRS to vigorously prosecute those who steal innocent people’s identities in order to file a false tax return and steal money,” said United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau. “These crimes cause harm to the person whose identity is stolen and harm to the U.S. taxpayer. Those who commit such crimes need to be held accountable.”
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Robinson remains in custody of the United States Marshal. Robinson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of seventeen years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, $300 in special assessments, and seven years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/. The case file number is 15-CR-0071.
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Two Cedar Rapids Men Sentenced for Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
Two Cedar Rapids men who worked together to sell heroin and crack cocaine were sentenced yesterday to serve terms of imprisonment in federal prison.
Chanord Hawkins, age 23, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (formerly Chicago, Illinois), received a prison term of 30 months’ imprisonment after a May 17, 2016, guilty plea to one count of distribution of heroin and crack cocaine. Donnell Cole, age 29, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (formerly Chicago, Illinois) received a 16-month prison term after a May 27, 2016, guilty plea to one count of distribution of heroin and crack cocaine.
At the guilty plea, both admitted working together to sell cocaine base, commonly called crack cocaine and heroin in the Cedar Rapids area during late 2015.
Both defendants were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Both defendants must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term and pay a special assessment of $100. There is no parole in the federal system. Both defendants are 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 Tony Morfitt and investigated by as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids police Department and 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; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 16-008. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Cedar Rapids Recidivist Felon Sentenced to Maximum Prison TermRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man with an extensive criminal history who fired shots into the air in a residential neighborhood using a stolen handgun was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in federal prison.
Tiamo Blackcloud, 38, from Cedar Rapids, received the prison term after a January 25, 2016, guilty plea to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition because he was a felon.
At the guilty plea hearing, Blackcloud admitted to firing a weapon into the air in a Cedar Rapids neighborhood on August 18, 2015. He had been drinking at the time. Blackcloud’s criminal history included two felony convictions and, in total, he had 56 criminal convictions. His criminal activities began at age 18 and continued up to his arrest last August, and included numerous assaultive encounters with both women and the police. The sentencing judge ordered a non-guideline sentence to the statutory maximum sentence based on his criminal history, risk to the public and nature and circumstances of the offense.
Blackcloud was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. He was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. Blackcloud 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 Steve Young and investigated by the CRPD and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 15-CR-00099.
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Bar Owner Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
An Atkins man who committed tax evasion by not reporting all his income from the businesses he owned was sentenced earlier this week to 18 months in federal prison.
Bradley Tischer, age 51, from Atkins, IA, received the prison term after a guilty plea was entered for one count of tax evasion in March 2016.
In a plea agreement, Tischer admitted he owned and operated three bars and grills known as Brogan’s, Miguel’s and Bobby T’s. He also had a corporation known as JGT, Inc., which was used to operate Miguel’s and Bobby T’s. Tischer underpaid his taxes from 2009-2013 and the resulting tax loss was over $250,000.00. Each tax return contained a written declaration that it was signed under the penalty of perjury. Tischer knew he had not reported all of his income.
Tischer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Tischer was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and fined $5,000.00. A special assessment of $100.00 was imposed, and he was ordered to make $2,961.88 in restitution to the United States for costs of prosecution. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Tischer was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on a date yet to be set.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-cr-16.
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Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to over 12 years in Prison for Drug Crime Committed on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man on federal supervised release was sentenced yesterday to more than 12 years in federal prison for possessing more than 35 grams of “ice” methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Pablo Ortega, age 40, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received a total prison sentence of 147 months’ after a March 24, 2016, guilty plea to possession with intent to deliver more than 5 grams of pure methamphetamine, which was further supported by his admission at yesterday’s hearing that he had violated the conditions of his supervised release by committing a new crime. Ortega had been released from federal prison in December of 2014, after serving a 188 month prison term for another federal drug trafficking crime.
At his guilty plea, Ortega admitted he was on supervised release beginning in December 2014, and was subject to having his residence searched by federal probation officers. On November 6, 2015, when the United States Probation Office conducted a search of his residence they found over 35 grams of “ice” methamphetamine, which is highly pure methamphetamine.
Ortega was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. For the violation of his supervised release, Ortega was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. For the new drug crime, Ortega was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment to be served consecutively with the other term of imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a 5-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 Reinert and investigated by the United States Probation Office, Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl under file numbers are CR 00-3020 and CR 16-0010. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Cedar Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Enticement of MinorsRead the Press Release
A former school bus attendant who enticed three minors pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Tyler Konigsmark, age 20, of Cedar Rapids, was convicted of one count of enticement of minors. At the plea hearing and in a plea agreement, Konigsmark admitted that, between April and May of this year, he used Snapchat and his iPhone to request sexually explicit images from three girls, age 12, 13, and 14, who rode on school buses where he was an attendant. He also admitted that, on two occasions, he had sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old girl after he used Snapchat and his cell phone to arrange meetings with her.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Konigsmark remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Konigsmark faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $5,100 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 is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Hiawatha Police Department, and the Cedar Rapids 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 16-57.
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Man Involved in Shooting Death of His Father Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
An Iowa man who illegally possessed firearms was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison.
Dale Edward White, 25, from Nashua, Iowa, received the prison term after a April 27, 2016, guilty plea to possession of a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person. White was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his illegal drug use.
Evidence during the proceedings showed that on January 2, 2016, police responded to White’s residence after receiving a 911 call regarding a shooting. Prior to the call, White and his father were handling a .22 caliber rifle in the living room of the residence they shared. The firearm was loaded with .22 caliber ammunition. During the handling of the firearm, the firearm accidently discharged, striking White’s father who eventually passed away as a result of this injury.
During the investigation, police seized 49 firearms from White’s residence. These firearms included handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Police also seized evidence consistent with drug use. At the time he possessed these firearms, White was a user of methamphetamine and marijuana.
White was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. White was sentenced to 47 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a three-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 prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Nashua Police Department, the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-cr-2013.
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Jackson Park Shooter Sentenced to Statutory MaximumRead the Press Release
A Dubuque man who fired at least seven shots into Jackson Park was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison.
Cowan Godfrey, 31, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 8, 2016, guilty plea to felon in possession of ammunition.
Evidence at sentencing showed that on April 1, 2015, Godfrey, and fellow gang members, went to Jackson Street Park, in Dubuque, Iowa. While at the park, Godfrey and his associates became involved in an altercation with another group of individuals. During the altercation Godfrey retrieved a firearm from a nearby car and fired at least seven shots into the park. Numerous children and families were present during the shooting and a least one bullet hit playground equipment. No one was injured.
Godfrey was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Godfrey was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Godfrey 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 Dubuque Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 15-cr-1027.
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Dubuque Couple Sentenced to Probation for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
A husband and wife who illegally possessed a firearm were each sentenced yesterday to a five year term of probation.
Willie Earl Horsley, Sr., 30, and Raven Javay Harris, 26, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the sentence after an April 20, 2016, guilty plea to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. Both individuals were prohibited from possessing a firearm because of their illegal drug use.
Evidence during the proceedings showed that Horsley and Harris were both unlawful users of marijuana and kept in their residence a .45 caliber pistol. On January 3, 2016, police responded to their residence after receiving a 911 call regarding a shooting. Horsley and Harris’ had left the firearm in their bedroom, accessible to their minor children. The children began playing with the firearm, which led to the shooting of Horsley and Harris’ two year old son. The child suffered multiple injuries and was airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals for treatment.
Horsley and Harris were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. A special assessment of $100 was imposed.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-cr-1006.
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An Illegal Immigrant from Mexico Sentenced to Prison After Being Deported Five Times and ReturningRead the Press Release
A Mexican man who had previously been deported five times was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison.
Manuel Sanchez-Rojas, 47, a citizen of Mexico who had been living in Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 2, 2016, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction.
At the guilty plea, Sanchez-Rojas admitted he illegally reentered the United States without permission after having been deported from the United States in 1992, 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2005. Sanchez-Rojas was found by immigration authorities in Iowa on April 14, 2016, after Sanchez-Rojas had been arrested in Waterloo on a theft charge. After being arrested by immigration agents, Sanchez-Rojas threatened to return to the United States and shoot the agents. Sanchez-Rosa had previously been convicted 11 times in the United States, including convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm, and burglary four times.
Sanchez-Rojas was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Sanchez-Rojas was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Sanchez-Rojas 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 the 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 16-CR-2021.
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Media Advisory: Fort Dodge Hosts Hate Crimes/Bias Incident ForumRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is joining with the FBI, DOJ’s Community Relations Service, Webster County Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices, Fort Dodge Police Department, and the Fort Dodge Human Rights Commission to host a forum designed to identify and address key issues related to hate crime reporting, investigation, prosecution and prevention. The forum is designed to build collaboration among key partners in an effort to prevent and respond to bias incidents and hate crimes.
U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau will be present and joined by Darryck Dean, a DOJ Conciliation Specialist with the Community Relations Service located in Kansas City. Mr. Dean was actively involved in community conciliation efforts following the incidents in Ferguson, Mo. A flyer announcing the forum is attached.
Event Details
When: Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Where: Iowa Central Community College, Bio-Health Science Building Auditorium, One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Time: Starts at 6:00 p.m., ends at 8:00 p.m.
This is a “pen and pad” opportunity for the press. Photography permitted. A press release will be provided and interview opportunities will be available.
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ATF Recognizes AUSA Forde Fairchild for ExcellenceRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA –United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Deputy Director Thomas E. Brandon presented the Honor Award to Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild for his investigation and successful prosecution of an individual who waged a campaign of violence in the greater Sioux City, Iowa community. He received this award today at the 20th Annual ATF Awards Ceremony held at the agency’s National Headquarters in Washington D.C. Presenting the award was NBC News Justice Department Correspondent Louis Alan “Pete” Williams.
The Honor Award given to a select few non-ATF government officials or individuals from the private sector who have significantly contributed to ATF’s overall mission through long-standing support, cooperation, and/or an allocation of human or materiel resources.
Fairchild was involved in an investigation and prosecution that spanned more than three states and an Indian Reservation, and lasted almost three years. Multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation and supported the ultimate successful prosecution of 13 individuals.
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, Kevin W. Techau, stated “We are profoundly proud of Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild for his tireless managing of the legal aspects of his complex investigations and prosecutions. The ATF Honor Award could not have been given to a more deserving prosecutor. He made Sioux City a safer place to live after putting a career criminal away for life.”
Summary of Facts
In March 2012, gang member Jamal Dean shot two individuals—one in Sioux City, Iowa and the other in South Sioux City, Nebraska. While these offenses were being investigated, he was sent to state prison for an unrelated drug-distribution offense. Dean was released from prison in December of that year.
On April 2013, Dean, his brother (also a fellow gang member) and another individual traveled from South Sioux City, Nebraska, to Sioux City, Iowa where they beat and robbed at gun point a small time drug-dealer. The threesome retreated to Nebraska after the attack. Again in April, Dean and his brother traveled from Nebraska to Iowa and back after beating and robbing at gun point a larger drug dealer.
On April 29, 2013, Dean, in an attempt to escape being arrested for these crimes, fired eight rounds at Sioux City, Iowa, Police Officer Kevin McCormick, striking him once in the head with a bullet. Officer McCormick survived the attack.
Dean, with the help of a getaway team (made up of his friends, family, and fellow gangsters), avoided arrest until early May 2013, when he was arrested by officers of the Texas Department of Public Safety just 70 miles from Mexico in a car heading south. The obstructive conduct continued even after Dean’s capture. Confederates made material false statements to federal authorities and deleted the contents of their mobile phones and an iPad.
Challenges
The case was a difficult and lengthy investigation, produced thousands of items of discovery, multiple detention hearings, multiple motions to dismiss, motions to sever counts and defendants, a contested motion and hearing regarding the United States’ request for heightened security procedures at trial, a week-long multi- defendant trial, a second multi-defendant trial that plead out shortly before trial, 12 vigorously contested sentencing hearings, and a consolidated appeal to the United States Court of Appeals.
The Outcomes
The combined cases resulted in 13 convictions including a life sentence for Jamal Dean.
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U.S. Department of Justice Moderates Forum to Discuss Hate CrimesRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa invited the citizens of Black Hawk County to participate last night in a forum to discuss hate crimes and bias incidents. A representative from the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) served as the moderator.
Pursuant to the Hate Crimes Protection Act, CRS is authorized to work with communities to help them develop the capacity to prevent and respond more effectively to violent hate crimes allegedly committed on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. CRS is a remarkably unique federal component dedicated to assisting state and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups develop local capacity to prevent racial and ethnic tensions.
Joining in the forum were representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Black Hawk County Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices, Waterloo Police Department, Waterloo’s Human Rights Commission, and the Cedar Falls Police Department. The forum was sponsored by University of Northern Iowa – UniCue, One Iowa, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Waterloo Commission on Human Rights.
United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau expressed appreciation to the agencies involved and the community members attending for their willingness to discuss in a positive way an issue communities across the country sometimes encounter. Techau stated, “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all people. Last night’s meeting was an opportunity to discuss the topic of hate crimes in a safe environment. Hate crimes represent an attack not just on the individual victim but also on the victim's community. The impact is broader because they send a message of hate. They are intended to create fear. Hate crimes diminish us all. We are committed to working with all communities to address the issue by working to prevent hate crimes as well as investigate and prosecute hate crimes whenever and wherever necessary.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Morfitt provided information on the federal statutes that criminalize various types of hate crimes. He covered the evolution of federal hate crime law and the recent expansion of the groups protected by federal hate crime laws.
Morfitt emphasized that the defining characteristic of a federal hate crime is that the actions must have been motivated by hate and that an individual cannot be found guilty federally unless the government proves the person acted “because of” the victim’s status as a member of a protected group. As an example, Morfitt pointed to the case of United States of America v. Randy Metcalf, where the government recently proved at trial that a Dubuque resident had assaulted an African American man in a local bar because of his race.
Presentations were made by the Black Hawk County Attorney and Sheriff, Waterloo Chief of Police, Cedar Falls Police Department, FBI Resident Agent in Charge for Iowa-Nebraska, and the Waterloo Human Rights Commission. A conciliation specialist with DOJ’s Community Relations Service served as the moderator and engaged the presenters and those attending with fact-building hypotheticals designed to challenge the meaning of hate crimes and bias incidents. Those attending actively engaged the panel in a Q&A session.
To learn more about the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service, visit: https://www.justice.gov/crs.
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Ten Individuals Sentenced in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Six men and four women responsible for distributing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine were sentenced earlier this week to various federal prison terms.
Mario Murillo-Mora, 41, from Michoacán, Mexico, received a 262-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jeff Richardson, 50, from Cambridge, Iowa, received a 262-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Austin Bertch, 31, from Waterloo, Iowa, received a 176-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Gustavo Gonzalez-Torres, 26, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 168-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Rafael Avalos-Castellanos, 41, from Michoacán, Mexico, received a 147-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jason Gauthier, 41, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 113-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Rachel Berrones, 26, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 105-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Vania Guadarrama, 30, from Chicago, Illinois, received a 78-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Jessica Ceniceros, 26, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 71-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Ragan Victor, 34, from Marshalltown, Iowa, received a 43-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence at the guilty pleas and other court proceedings showed that in the Spring of 2013, Mario Murillo Mora began building a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing multiple pounds of ice methamphetamine, a highly pure, crystalized form of methamphetamine, throughout Northern Iowa. At least 250 pounds of ice methamphetamine was distributed by various members of the organization during the course of the conspiracy. Murillo Mora recruited various individuals to assist with transporting, storing, and distributing ice methamphetamine, as well as collecting money and wiring drug proceeds back to sources of supply. Other individuals obtained ice methamphetamine from Murillo Mora in pound to multiple pound quantities for redistribution to a network of retail level customers. Methamphetamine arrived in Marshalltown from Mexico and California concealed in vehicles. Once transported to Marshalltown, the methamphetamine was broken down and repackaged for further distribution.
All defendants were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. A special assessment of $100 to $200 was imposed on all defendants and they must also each serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams 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; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Mid-Iowa Task Force, comprised of the Marshalltown Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Falls Police Department, Eldora Police Department and the Dysart Police Department; and the Tri-County Drug Task Force, comprised of the Waterloo Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar Falls Police Department, LaPorte City Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Evansdale Police Department, University of Northern Iowa Police Department, Waverly Police Department and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 15-cr-2015.
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Two Men and One Woman Convicted of Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Three Marshalltown residents who conspired to distribute methamphetamine were convicted by a jury on August 16, 2016, after a five-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Daniela Castellanos, 29, Juan Flores, a/k/a Alejandro Becerra, 28, and Marcos Perez-Trevino, 46, all from Marshalltown, Iowa, were convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. The verdict was returned following about three hours of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that all three individuals were involved in a large conspiracy responsible for distributing multiple pounds of ice methamphetamine throughout Northern Iowa. Flores and Perez-Trevino served as sources of supply for the organization, distributing methamphetamine in multiple ounce and pound quantities, while Castellanos was responsible for transporting and delivering methamphetamine and wiring drug proceeds to Mexico. To date, over thirty individuals have been found guilty of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine as part of this organization.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. All three defendants remain in custody of the United States Marshal. Perez-Trevino face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, over $10,000,000 in fines, $100 in special assessments, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. Castellanos and Flores face up to twenty years imprisonment, over $1,000,000 in fines, $100 in special assessments, and at least three years of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams 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 Tri-County Drug Task Force, comprised of the Waterloo Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar Falls Police Department, LaPorte City Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Evansdale Police Department, University of Northern Iowa Police Department, Waverly Police Department and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office; the Mid-Iowa Task Force, comprised of the Marshalltown Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Falls Police Department, Eldora Police Department and the Dysart Police Department; and 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; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 15-cr-2037.
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Media Advisory: University of Northern Iowa Hosts Hate Crimes/Bias Incident ForumRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is joining with the FBI, DOJ’s Community Relations Service, Black Hawk County Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices, Waterloo Police Department, Waterloo’s Human Rights Commission, and the Cedar Falls Police Department to host a forum designed to identify and address key issues related to hate crime reporting, investigation, prosecution and prevention. The forum is designed to build collaboration among key partners in an effort to prevent and respond to bias incidents and hate crimes.
U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau will be present and joined by Darryck Dean, a DOJ Conciliation Specialist with the Community Relations Service located in Kansas City. Mr. Dean was actively involved in community conciliation efforts following the incidents in Ferguson, Mo. A flyer announcing the forum is attached.
Event Details
When: Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Where: University of Northern Iowa – Center for Urban Education
800 Sycamore, Waterloo, Iowa 50703
Time: Starts at 6:00 p.m., ends at 8:00 p.m.
This is a “pen and pad” opportunity for the press. Photography permitted. A press release will be provided and interview opportunities will be available.
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Jury Convicts Marion Man on Child Sexual Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who sexually exploited a child, distributed child pornography, and received child pornography was convicted by a jury on Thursday, August 11, 2016, after a four-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Bryan King, age 46, from Marion, Iowa, was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of receipt of child pornography. The verdict was returned following over an hour of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that, in October 2014, King persuaded and attempted to persuade, induce, and entice a 15-year-old child to produce an image depicting sexually explicit conduct. The evidence also showed that King distributed this image and an image of another child to another person.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. King remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. King faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 70 years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, a $300 special assessment, 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, the Douglas County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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 15-87.
Indian Country Conference Held in Sioux City: Crimes Against Children HighlightedRead the Press Release
SIOUX CITY, IOWA – The United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern District of Iowa and the Districts of Nebraska and Kansas convened the 2016 Indian Country Conference in Sioux City. Over 100 victim service professionals and law enforcement officers attended the conference, entitled “Crimes Against Children.” Participants attending the conference were updated on threats facing children in Indian Country and the need for a community based response.
This annual conference began in 2007 with a particular focus on crimes in Indian Country. While the central focus remains the same—ensuring the more vulnerable people in native communities are protected and to make their homes safe—the nature and scope of the issues have continued to evolve requiring important networking and training that comes from the conference.
U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau recognized the importance of the conference stating, “Providing this training conference brings together allied professionals to gain more knowledge and insight so they can better assist victims.” He concluded noting, “Improving public safety and the fair administration of justice in tribal communities have been and remain top priorities for the Department of Justice.”
A noted expert on human trafficking in Indian Country, Detective Josephina Sabori, with the Pima County, Arizona Sheriff’s Department discussed victim approach and indicators, perception, luring, and best practices for establishing a rapport with victim-survivors of human trafficking. She also highlighted the AMBER Alert in Indian Country initiative and how tribal communities can develop their own comprehensive child abduction response plan.
Conference attendees also received training on the variety of continuing and emerging victim issues to better equip them to serve child crime victims in Indian Country. Among the training sessions attendees participated were workshops on child advocacy, domestic violence, violence against children, human trafficking, and working with people in crisis.
Victim-Witness Specialist for the Northern District of Iowa, Shari Konarske noted, “The successes that come from this conference does not come in a vacuum, or by any single agency, government or individual. Instead, they are the result of ongoing consultation, collaboration and coordination among many who have the same goal.”
To learn more about the Department of Justice’s efforts on tribal justice, visit: https://www.justice.gov/otj.
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Three Plead Guilty to Palo Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Two men and one woman who robbed a bank in Palo in May have pled guilty in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Lance Monden, age 33 from Cedar Rapids, Stanley Mosley, age 36 from Coralville, and Katherine Pihl, age 39 from Tiffin, were all convicted of one count of bank robbery.
Evidence at the plea hearings and an earlier court hearing established that the three robbed the Palo Savings Bank on May 20, 2016. At approximately 2:35 p.m. on that day, Monden and Mosley entered the Palo Savings Bank. Both were wearing black masks and hooded sweatshirts. The two yelled at the employees in the bank and went from teller drawer to teller drawer taking cash and putting it in either the pockets of a sweatshirt or a backpack that one of the robbers was wearing. Monden and Mosley spent about one minute in the bank before running out the door.
Pihl was waiting outside the bank with a Ford Taurus to use as a getaway car. After leaving the bank, Monden and Mosley got into the trunk of the Taurus. Pihl then drove the Taurus out of Palo and south towards Cedar Rapids. Witnesses saw Monden and Mosley running from the bank wearing masks and then saw the Taurus leaving the area of the bank and reported this information to 911. About seven minutes after the bank robbery, a deputy with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office stopped the Taurus and found Monden and Mosley hiding in the trunk of the car. Law enforcement found cash in a backpack in the trunk of the car and on the persons of Monden and Mosley.
Sentencing before United States District Court Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Monden and Mosley remain in the custody of the United States Marshal. Pihl remains free on conditions previously set. All three face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and was investigated by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-00051.
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North-Central Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Storing Hazardous WasteRead the Press Release
Richard Delp, 62, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, pled guilty August 3, 2016, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, to a charge of unlawfully storing hazardous waste.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing revealed Delp, from about January 1, 2004, and continuing to on or about October 23, 2012, knowingly stored, or caused the storage of, hazardous waste by storing drums, tanks, totes, and vats containing corrosive and toxic hazardous waste at his now defunct Cedar Valley Electroplating facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa, without a permit authorizing the storage. Delp continued to unlawfully store the hazardous waste despite being alerted to the problem in 2005 and, again, in 2010 by civil inspections conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). Instead of addressing the problem, he abandoned the hazardous wastes when he closed the business in September 2011. This resulted in the public paying more than $789,138.03 in clean-up costs.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Delp remains free on bond previously set. Delp faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $50,000 for each day of violation, a $100 in special assessments, and up to five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal investigation Division and is being 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 CR16-2022.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Taking Part in National Night OutRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – Tuesday, August 2, 2016, attorneys from the United States Attorney’s Office will join members of law enforcement and the community as part of the 33rd annual National Night Out campaign.
National Night Out is designed to enhance police-community relations, heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, and strengthen neighborhood spirit. National Night Out organizers are expecting more than 16,000 communities and 38 million people to take part in community events.
“National Night Out is a great way for all neighbors to join with both law enforcement and community partners to demonstrate that crime does not rule the night and that criminals have no safe haven when the sun goes down,” said United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau. “The ‘Night Out’ is also a great way to acknowledge the accomplishments of our neighborhood organizations that keep communities safe, and to thank our law enforcement community for putting their lives on the line for us every day.”
Assistant United States Attorneys will be joining community leaders and law enforcement in Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, Marion, Waterloo and Dubuque.
To learn more about National Night Out go to: https://natw.org/registration.
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Hull Woman Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud and Filing a False Tax Return in a Super Bowl Tickets SchemeRead the Press Release
Ranae Harriet Van Roekel, 48, from Hull, Iowa, pled guilty today in federal court in Sioux City and was convicted of one count of mail fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.
Evidence produced at the plea hearing revealed, from about January 2008 to about June 2012, Van Roekel, used the internet, phone networks, and the United States Mail, to claim to have access to tickets to various events (including Super Bowl XLVI) at steeply discounted prices because of some claimed personal relationship, membership, or association with the events or related organizations. For example, she claimed to have come by access to discounted Super Bowl XLVI tickets by fraudulently claiming she was a member of the Super Bowl Planning Committee.
She then collected money from victims, through the United States Mail purportedly for the purpose of obtaining these tickets, hotel rooms, and other goods and services, but then claimed she could not fill most of the orders. Defendant paid some victims "refunds" with money from newly acquired victims to prevent detection of the scheme
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Van Roekel remains free on bond previously set; Van Roekel faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment on the mail fraud count, and up to 8 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and up to one year of supervised release following any imprisonment on the filing a false income tax return count.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, The Iowa Attorney General’s Office, and the Internal Revenue Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court files information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR16-4059.
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Three Local Restaurants Resolve Access Complaints Under the American with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office recently settled access complaints against three local restaurants under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The Hacienda Las Glorias, Lone Star Steakhouse, and The Irish Democrat, all covered under Title III of the ADA, agreed to comply with the Act’s provisions ensuring equal access within the restaurants.
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Kevin W. Techau stated, “This office is committed to the full and fair enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These agreements demonstrate the vital importance of the Act so that people with disabilities can enjoy access to restaurants and businesses.”
The Hacienda Las Glorias, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, agreed to address several access issues including agreeing to install a first floor bathroom in its restaurant by August 15, 2016, which previously was only provided in its basement. Hacienda Las Glorias will also ensure accessibility to its parking, restaurant entrances, waiting area, bar area, and dining areas by June 15, 2017.
Delaine Petersen, a longtime ADA advocate and former Executive Director at The Arc of East Central Iowa, stated she “Appreciates the perseverance that the Justice Department exerted to gain ADA compliance at Hacienda Las Glorias. The result of the department’s efforts will allow all citizens with disabilities or without the right to fully access and patronize this establishment. The settlement is a strong statement that all citizens can and should be able to fully utilize the community.”
Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, agreed to correct certain features of the restaurant that prevented persons with disabilities from accessing portions of the restaurant. Lone Star agreed to bring ramps, dining areas, and bathrooms into compliance with the Act. Lone Star will submit reports to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for three years or until all barriers to access are resolved.
The Irish Democrat Pub & Grill, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, agreed to remove barriers that prevented persons with disabilities from accessing portions of the restaurant. The Irish Democrat agreed to make the front entrance, dining areas (including free standing tables, bars and booths) and its toilet rooms accessible to persons with disabilities. The Irish Democrat will submit reports to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for three years or until all barriers to access are resolved.
David Thielen, Executive Director of The ARC of East Central Iowa offered, “The mission at The Arc is to empower people with intellectual and related disabilities to engage in lifelong opportunities to live, learn, work and play with dignity, freedom, and full inclusion in their communities. This settlement will now afford the freedom of so many people with disabilities of full inclusion in our community, especially at these dining facilities. We are pleased at the outcome of this decision and pleased to see these restaurants will remedy the issues.”
The settlement documents detailing the terms of the agreements are attached to this release.
These matters were handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Wright and the Disabilities Rights Section of the United States Department of Justice.
The public may access the U.S. Attorney’s website to file an ADA complaint at www.justice.gov/usao/ian. After completing the form, it may be sent by mail, fax, or e mail. You may learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act by going to the Department of Justice web page at www.ada.gov.
Today is the 26th anniversary of the signing of the ADA.
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Maquoketa Man Charged with Distributing Fentanyl AnalogueRead the Press Release
Joshua Manning, age 22, from Maquoketa, Iowa, has been charged with one count of distribution of furanyl fentanyl. The charge is contained in an Indictment unsealed on July 22, 2016, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, on or about March 3, 2016, Manning distributed a substance called furanyl fentanyl. The Indictment alleges that furanyl fentanyl is an analogue of fentanyl, and that Manning knew that the substance was intended for human consumption.
If convicted, Manning faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and up to a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Manning appeared on July 22, 2016, in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond. Manning’s next appearance for a status hearing is set for August 24, 2016.
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 investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force, Maquoketa Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Marion Police Department; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-01031-LTS.
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Detention Hearing Held for Cedar Rapids Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children and Enticement of MinorsRead the Press Release
Tyler Konigsmark, age 20, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids for a detention hearing. Konigsmark was ordered held without bond pending further proceedings.
Konigsmark has been charged with sexual exploitation of children and enticement of minors. The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed on July 21, 2016. The Indictment alleges that, between April and May 2016, Konigsmark persuaded and attempted to persuade, induce, and entice minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing visual depictions and engaging in sexual activity.
According to information disclosed at today’s detention hearing, between March and May 2016, Konigsmark was employed by the Cedar Rapids Community School District as a school bus attendant. Konigsmark was an attendant on buses servicing, at least, Taft and Harding middle schools. While working as a bus attendant, Konigsmark allegedly used a mobile telephone to contact two minor females, ages 13 and 14, and attempted to persuade the girls to send him nude images of themselves. Konigsmark also allegedly contacted a third minor female, age 12, and persuaded the girl to send him nude images of herself. The 12-year-old girl allegedly sent him nude images of her breasts and vagina. Konigsmark also allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old girl.
Konigsmark’s next appearance for trial is scheduled for September 19, 2016, in Cedar Rapids. If convicted, Konigsmark faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, a $200 special assessment, and at least five years and up to life on supervised release following any imprisonment.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Hiawatha Police Department, and the Cedar Rapids 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 16-57. Additional information about the case can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/united-states-v-tyler-konigsmark-16-cr-00057.
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Vinton Woman Admits Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
A Vinton woman who possessed methamphetamine with intent to distribute pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Angelika McAtee, age 58, from Vinton, Iowa, was convicted of possessing over 48 grams of pure methamphetamine with intent to distribute it.
At the plea hearing, McAtee admitted that she had been selling methamphetamine. She also admitted to possessing the methamphetamine seized from her Vinton, Iowa, residence on April 29, 2016, and intended to distribute it to others.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. McAtee was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. McAtee faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and 3 years to life on supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Tvedt and was investigated by Vinton Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, United States Department Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Benton County Conservation Commission, and the Iowa State Patrol.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-0045.
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Iowa’s Untapped Workforce: A Roadmap for Second Chance HiringRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office is hosting three half day workshops across the Northern District entitled, “Iowa’s Untapped Workforce: A Roadmap for Second Chance Hiring.” The first of these free workshops begins tomorrow in Cedar Rapids, followed by Fort Dodge on July 27th and Sioux City the next day.
Literally thousands of justice-involved individuals are released from America’s state and federal prisons every week and arrive on the doorsteps of our nation’s communities. Studies show that approximately two-thirds of all those released will likely be rearrested within three years of release. For the communities to which most former prisoners return (communities which are often impoverished and disenfranchised neighborhoods with few social supports and persistently high crime rates), the release of ex-offenders represents a variety of challenges.
What can be done to help people who are released from prison keep from being rearrested? With no job, no money, and no place to live, returnees often find themselves facing the same pressures and temptations that landed them in prison in the first place.
The goal of the workshops is to assist ex-prisoners in finding and keeping employment, identifying transitional housing, and receiving mentoring which are three key elements of successful re-entry back into their communities. This goal will be achieved by providing employers, business students, human resource professionals, and community members informative “takeaways” about the benefits of hiring individuals with a criminal history and to dispel many myths.
Earlier this year the Department of Justice designated one week in April as National Reentry Week. United States Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch participated in several events around the country. She noted during one of those visits that, “Too often, justice-involved individuals who have paid their debt to society confront daunting obstacles to good jobs, decent housing, adequate health care, quality education, and even the right to vote. National Reentry is working to tear down the barriers that stand between returning citizens and a meaningful second chance – leading to brighter futures and stronger communities.”
United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau also offered his thoughts on the initiative, “Employment is one of the largest indicators of whether an individual who has been released from prison will re-offend. It is undisputed that employment decreases the risk of an individual committing a new crime. Increasing public safety is a goal we all should share.” He also noted that the workshops will help employers better understand the significant role they can play, which will benefit the communities in which they live.
The Untapped Workforce events will highlight the reasons why employers should consider hiring someone with a felony or criminal record. Participants will learn about the tax credits and federal bonding programs that help protect employers who engage in “second chance” hiring. Information will be presented detailing how employers can work with corrections staff and probation officers to find potential employees who have the relevant vocational training and skills to become an asset to their company. Participants will also hear from the EEOC regarding Best Practices and employment guidance, helping employers understand what they can ask potential employees about their criminal history and how to shape a hiring policy that will protect their company and be legally compliant.
The keynote speaker will be Arte Nathan, the now retired Director of Human Resources and Senior Vice President for Wynn Resorts and Casinos. Mr. Nathan was responsible for opening and staffing numerous Wynn resorts and casinos around the world, including the Bellagio in Las Vegas. He hired over 100,000 employees in his career. Nathan will share his story, including his decision to take a chance on hiring ex-gang members and ex-felons and how that decision positively impacted the lives of those individuals and their families, while also benefiting his company and the communities in which they lived. He will share advice on how local employers can likewise make a positive impact in the community without jeopardizing their business.
All participants will be able to participate in a "reentry simulation" activity during which they will assume the fictional identity of someone being released from prison. They will be required to navigate through probation and parole requirements, obtain a job, and avoid going back to prison. The one hour exercise has been a highlight of similar events around the country, and helps participants understand the barriers that are often encountered by people coming out of prison.
A number of agencies and organizations assisted the United States Attorney’s Office in organizing these events. The primary co-sponsors include Iowa Workforce Development, IowaWORKS, The Siouxland Initiative, the Iowa Department of Corrections, the Employers’ Councils of Iowa, and the nonprofit America’s Job Honor Awards.
To learn more about the Department of Justice’s Reentry initiative, visit: https://www.justice.gov/archive/fbci/progmenu_reentry.html.
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Media Advisory: Iowa’s Untapped WorkforceRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office is hosting three workshops entitled, “Iowa’s Untapped Workforce: A Roadmap for Second Chance Hiring,” for employers, business students, human resource professionals, and community members across the District next week. The workshops will help participants better understand the significant role they can play in assisting ex-offenders reenter society. It is undisputed that employment decreases the risk of an individual committing a new crime. The workshops will provide “takeaways” about the benefits of hiring individuals with a criminal history and to dispel many myths.
U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau will be present at the workshops. Key state officials from Iowa Workforce Development and the Department of Corrections will be attending. A keynote speaker from the casino industry will share his story of hiring ex-gang members and ex-felons and how that decision positively impacted their lives, while benefiting his company and the communities in which they lived.
Event Details
When: July 26th (Cedar Rapids), 27th (Ft. Dodge), and 28th (Sioux City)
Where: Clarion Hotel (Cedar Rapids), Best Western Starlight Village (Ft. Dodge), and Bev’s on the River (Sioux City)
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Interview opportunities will be available.
Gang Member to Federal Prison for Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
A member of the same gang as Jamal Dean, who made false statements while testifying as a witness at Dean’s sentencing, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison yesterday.
Cesar Ramos, age 27, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term July 20, 2016, after a jury found him guilty on April 12, 2016, of three counts of making false material declarations.
The evidence at trial revealed the following facts. Ramos and Dean were in the same gang and Jaime Espinoza was in another gang. After Dean shot Espinoza, Ramos – according to statements he gave to investigators – drove Dean away from the scene of the shooting. When he was asked about these observations at Dean’s sentencing he feigned a memory lapse repeatedly answering: “I don’t remember.” The jury found these answers were made under oath, were false, that Ramos knew they were false, and they were material to the district court’s sentencing inquiry; and, therefore, constituted perjury.
Ramos was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Ramos was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $300 was imposed. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a cooperative local, state and federal program aimed at the enhanced prosecution of gun crimes. The case was investigated by the Sioux City 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 15-4058.
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Cedar Rapids Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children and Enticement of MinorsRead the Press Release
Tyler Konigsmark, age 20, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with sexual exploitation of children and enticement of minors. The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed today in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, between April and May 2016, Konigsmark persuaded and attempted to persuade, induce, and entice minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing visual depictions and engaging in sexual activity.
If convicted, Konigsmark faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, a $200 special assessment, and at least five years and up to life on supervised release following any imprisonment.
Konigsmark appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond. Konigsmark’s next appearance for a detention hearing is set for July 26, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Hiawatha Police Department, and the Cedar Rapids 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 16-57.
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Black Diamond Dog Kennel Owner Enters Guilty Plea for Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Gerhard L. Felts, aka Gary Felts, age 61, from Kingsley, Iowa, pled guilty on July 13, 2016 to one count of making false statements to the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001. The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed on June 6, 2016, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The United States obtained a civil judgment against Gary Felts dba Black Diamond Kennel, based upon the conditions of his dog kennel. Felts repeatedly provided false financial information to the United States in connection with the United States’ efforts to collect the debt. In doing so, Felts failed to disclose a checking account opened in April 2011, a savings account opened in April 2013, and his receipt of workers compensation payments in the amount of $25,000 in April 2013.
Felts faces a maximum penalty of (1) not more than 5 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole; (2) a fine of not more than $250,000; (3) a mandatory special assessment of $100; and (4) a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and was investigated by U.S. Department of Agriculture. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 16-cr-49.
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Chicago Man Sentenced to Life for Conspiring to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl That Caused Multiple Deaths and OverdosesRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine that led to several overdoses and deaths in Cedar Rapids in 2015 was sentenced yesterday to life in federal prison.
Max Julian Wright, age 36, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a March 2, 2016 jury verdict finding him guilty of two counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count of conspiring to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl that resulted in six serious bodily injuries and two deaths.
The evidence at trial showed that, between about 2013 and June 2015, Wright brought large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine from Chicago to Cedar Rapids. Wright and other individuals, including DeShaun Anderson and Marcus Wallace, sold the drugs to various users in Cedar Rapids. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate similar to heroin, but many times more potent than heroin. Witness testimony showed that by at least late 2014, the potency of the heroin being sold by Wright and Anderson increased, which led to at least six individuals immediately overdosing on the drugs. Testimony showed the users who overdosed lost consciousness nearly immediately after using the drugs, and had severely reduced breathing function due to the effects of the opiate drugs. One of the injured victims died two days later from the injuries sustained from using the drugs. Another victim died in early April of a mixed-drug overdose that included a toxic level of fentanyl in the victim’s blood. All of the deaths and overdose injuries found by the jury occurred between late February and mid-May of 2015.
Wright was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Wright was sentenced to life imprisonment on the conspiracy count and 30 years’ imprisonment on the distribution counts, all of which were ordered to run concurrently. A special assessment of $300 was imposed and he was ordered to make $12,371 in restitution to the family of one of the victims. If he is ever released from prison, he must serve an 8-year term of supervised release. 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.
The case 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 Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Marion Police Department; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Linn County Medical Examiner’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Chatham and Patrick Reinert.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 15-CR-00046-LRR.
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Reinbeck Man Sentenced to over 10 Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who received child pornography was sentenced July 8, 2016 to over 10 years in federal prison.
Robert Turner, age 35, from Reinbeck, Iowa, formerly from Cedar Falls, received the sentence after a January 5, 2016 guilty plea to one count of receipt of child pornography. At the plea hearing, Turner admitted that, between 2001 and 2013, he knowingly used the Internet to receive child pornography.
Turner was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Turner was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, Turner was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution, and he must also serve a 10-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 Cedar Falls Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
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 15-2049.
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Cedar Rapids Heroin Dealer Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who distributed heroin in the Cedar Rapids area was sentenced to more than four years in federal prison.
Isaac Edwards, age 27, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 29, 2016, guilty plea to one count of distribution of heroin.
In a plea agreement, Edwards admitted that he sold heroin from 2012 until the date of his arrest in 2015. He also admitted to leading police on a vehicle chase on September 22, 2015 and throwing heroin out of the vehicle during the pursuit.
Edwards was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Edwards was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment concurrent with an Illinois drug sentence. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Edwards is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody and will be returned to the Illinois Department of corrections to complete his Illinois drug sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert 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 Cedar Rapids Police Department and 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; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-04-LRR.
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Former Effigy Mounds National Monument Superintendent Sentenced to Serve Federal Jail TimeRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Kevin W. Techau, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, announced that the former Superintendent at the Effigy Mounds National Monument who stole human remains and hid them in his garage for twenty years was sentenced today in federal court to serve federal jail time.
Thomas A. Munson, age 76, from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, received the sentence after a January 4, 2016, guilty plea. Munson was an employee of the National Park Service from July of 1964 to May 1994. He served as Superintendent of the Effigy Mounds National Monument from February 1971, until his retirement in 1994. At all times during his employment, Munson was entrusted with preserving and protecting the sacred site. He failed this trust.
Evidence presented at the plea and sentencing hearings revealed that sometime in July of 1990, Munson decided to illegitimately take possession of items in the museum collections in an effort to avert the mandates of the then pending Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which he thought was “bad law”. The law allowed—in Munson’s opinion—modern day Native American Tribes to inaccurately and unscientifically affiliate themselves with prehistoric human remains and funerary objects. To thwart the law and to save him personally the effort of complying with it, Munson decided to remove skeletal prehistoric human remains from the museum collection in an attempt to maintain possession of any associated funerary objects that might otherwise follow the human remains back to a tribe.
Sometime in July of 1990, Munson directed a seasonal National Park Service employee to remove the skeletal prehistoric human remains of 41 Native Americans (i.e., approximately 2,135 whole and fragmentary human remains) from the museum collection. The majority of these skeletal remains was originally removed from archeological sites within Effigy Mounds National Monument and organized by catalog and accession numbers within the collection drawers of the museum curatorial storage facility.
On or about July 16, 1990, Munson and the seasonal employee each carried a box of human remains from the museum’s curatorial facility to his car. Munson then drove the items to his Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin home where he concealed them for more than twenty years. During the time period of the crime, Munson repeatedly misled the National Park Service employees about what became of the missing human remains.
As part of his plea agreement, defendant wrote a public acknowledgment expressing his guilt and apologized for his actions. A copy of that document is attached. munson_16_07-06_apology_signed.pdf
Munson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Magistrate Judge Jon S. Scoles. Munson was sentenced to 10 consecutive weekends in jail, 12 months’ supervised probation, home detention for 12 months’ with appropriate monitoring to ensure compliance, $3000 fine and a $25 special assessment. He was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and pay restitution in the sum of $108,905.
United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau said following sentencing, “It is a very sad day when a public official betrays the public’s trust. This was a serious crime and the betrayal was compounded by a violation of the most sacred trust placed in Mr. Munson as the Superintendent of Effigy Mounds National Monument.”
Current Effigy Mounds Superintendent James Nepstad stated, “Mr. Munson’s crime violated the trust of the American Indians in particular, the public, and the National Park Service, and the agency he served.” Nepstad continued noting, “Munson’s illegal actions prevented us from repatriating these human remains for over twenty years. Despite his obstruction of our investigation, we found and recovered these human remains and are committed to working with our tribal partners to repatriate them as quickly and respectfully as possible. Additionally, we are continuing to establish safeguards at Effigy Mounds to protect sacred remains in accord with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. We thank the Department of Justice for investigating this case with us, and bringing resolution to it.”
The Effigy Mounds National Monument located in Allamakee County, Iowa and operated by the National Park Service was established by a Presidential Proclamation by Harry S. Truman on October 25, 1949 under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The monument was established primarily to protect over 200 known prehistoric earthen burial mounds, some in the shape of animals, constructed between 700 and 2,500 years ago. The monument land is held in fee simple by the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. The monument is an area of concurrent federal jurisdiction.
The following Tribes affiliate themselves with Effigy Mounds National Monument:
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
Flandeau Santee Sioux
Ho-Chunk Nation
Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
Lower Sioux Indian Community
Omaha Nation
Otoe-Missouria Tribe
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
Prairie Island Indian Community
Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska
Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma
Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa
Santee Sioux Nation
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Upper Sioux Indian Community
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and
Yankton Sioux Tribe
The case was investigated by the National Park Service 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 CR15-1030.
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Media Advisory: Former Superintendent of Effigy Mounds National Monument to be SentencedRead the Press Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa will hold a media availability opportunity this Friday to discuss the sentencing of the former superintendent of Effigy Mounds National Monument.
The Assistant United States Attorney who prosecuted the case will be joined by National Park Service personnel.
Event Details
When: Friday, July 8, 2016
Where: United States Federal Courthouse, Second Floor, 111 7th Avenue S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Time: 10:45 a.m. (or immediately after sentencing, whichever first occurs).
Press interested in attending should contact AUSA Steve Young. His contact information is listed above.
A press release will be will be available.
Jury Convicts Sioux City Man of Three Federal Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm was convicted by a jury on June 30, 2016, after a two-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.
Brandon Hayes, 34, from Sioux City, IA, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of possession of a firearm by a domestic abuser and one count of possession of a firearm with an altered serial number. The verdict was returned this morning following about three hours of jury deliberations.
Hayes was previously convicted of 5 felonies and six crimes of domestic violence. Hayes unlawfully possessed a 12 gauge shotgun (with an obliterated or altered serial number) which he ultimately sold to an undercover ATF agent in Sioux City on June 23, 2014.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Hayes remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Because of his extensive criminal history, Hayes faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $300 in special assessments, and up to five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Sioux City Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 14-4082.
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Siouxland Tri-State Gathering Brings Together Three U.S. Attorneys and Area Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
SIOUX CITY, IA – Today the United States Attorneys for the Northern District of Iowa and the Districts of Nebraska and South Dakota met in Sioux City with 60 federal, state and local law enforcement partners with the goal of strengthening relationships among the offices and to develop a greater awareness of the dynamics and challenges facing the tri-state region now and into the future. This is a first of a kind executive meeting joining the three offices with fellow law enforcement partners.
The meeting was held at the 185th Air Refueling Wing located at the Sioux Gateway Airport. The Wing Commander, Colonel Larry Christensen, welcomed the attendees and provided them with a detailed briefing of the unit’s worldwide mission.
A recent successful prosecution involving multiple jurisdictions presented a good example of the importance of having pre-existing, effective collaborative relationships among federal, state and local law enforcement partners. Assistant U.S. Attorney Forde Fairchild led a panel discussion touching on the jurisdictional issues during the prosecution of Jamal Dean and his brother. The brothers conspired to rob two local drug dealers both living in Iowa. They had traveled from Nebraska to Sioux City and back to rob the drug dealers at gun point.
Evidence at Jamal Dean’s sentencing hearing revealed that while an Iowa arrest warrant was pending, he was a passenger in a car that was stopped by a Sioux City police officer. Dean exited the vehicle and began firing a number of rounds at the officer, one of which struck him in the head. After this shooting, Dean fled but was captured in Texas traveling south just 70 miles from the Mexican border. Evidence at sentencing also revealed Dean had also assaulted a woman and shot two other men, before shooting the officer. Dean was sentenced to life in prison.
Joining in the panel discussion were representatives from the Sioux City Police Department, Woodbury County Attorney and Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshal Service. The panel emphasized the need to have pre-existing, effective working relationships across federal, state and local law enforcement before a serious incident occurs, and stressed the need for information sharing among all partners, at all levels.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Kevin W. Techau reinforced his mantra as it related to the Dean prosecution noting, “We work best—federal, state and local law enforcement—when we work together.”
United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota Randolph J. Seiler stated following the meeting, “Successful prosecutions are the result of working shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners. Cooperation and collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement are critical elements in our efforts to deliver justice.”
United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska Deborah R. Gilg agreed stressing the importance of interagency cooperation.
The daylong meeting included a round table discussion on drug trafficking, guns and violent crimes, cybercrime/national security, and human trafficking. Representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations were joined during the roundtable by state and local task force members. Criminal trending was discussed and jurisdictional issues were clarified. The day ended with a presentation on global narcoterrorism and the threat to the United States by the Executive Director of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) located in Kansas City.
At the end of the day, the three United States Attorneys thanked the participants for joining the meeting noting that they believed the goal of strengthening inter-agency relationships and developing a greater awareness of the challenges facing the tri-state region were achieved. Future meeting of the partners will be planned.
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Dubuque Woman Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
A woman who lied to a Deputy United States Marshal about the location of a federal fugitive pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Vivian Rochelle Weakley, age 28, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of obstruction of justice.
In a plea agreement, Weakley admitted that on April 19, 2016, she knew Antwain Deshaun Spratt was inside her residence in Dubuque when Deputy United States Marshals arrived at the residence looking to arrest Spratt on an outstanding federal arrest warrant. Weakley falsely denied knowing Spratt, and claimed there was no one else in the home. Shortly thereafter, Spratt was found hiding in an upstairs bedroom closet. An unloaded handgun was found in Spratt’s clothes in a hamper right outside the closet.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Weakley remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing. Weakley faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and up to 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Dubuque Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-30-LRR.
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Iowa City Head Shop Owner Charged with Conspiring to Distribute Synthetic DrugsRead the Press Release
Hadi Sharairi, age 45, from Iowa City, has been charged with conspiring to distribute synthetic drugs. The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed on June 16, 2016, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, between at least February 10, 2014, and May 7, 2014, Sharairi conspired to distribute drugs called AB-FUBINACA and THJ-2201. The Indictment alleges that AB-FUBINACA is a Schedule I controlled substance and THJ-2201 was a controlled substance analogue in May 2014. Testimony at a hearing on June 21, 2016, showed Sharairi was the former owner of Zombies, a head shop located in Iowa City. An officer testified that Sharairi was warned by the Iowa City Police Department in June 2013 not to sell synthetic cannabinoid products (commonly known as “K2,” “Spice,” or “incense”). In May 2014, however, law enforcement searched Zombies and a storage unit associated with the business and found packages labeled “Bizarro,” which contained THJ-2201, and other packages labeled “Super Nova,” which contained AB-FUBINACA.
If convicted, Sharairi faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Sharairi appeared on June 16, 2016, in federal court in Cedar Rapids and on June 21, 2016, was released on bond. Sharairi’s next appearance for a status hearing is set for July 20, 2016.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department and 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, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services; and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 16-CR-48-1-LRR.
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Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced for Stealing Gun from Local Gun StoreRead the Press Release
A man who stole a gun from Sports Outfitters in Cedar Rapids was sentenced June 21, 2016, to more than 6 years in federal prison.
Dante Glinn, 23, from Cedar Rapids, received the prison term after a January 27, 2016, jury verdict finding him guilty of theft of a firearm from a licensed dealer.
The evidence at trial showed that, on August 25, 2015, Glinn walked into Sports Outfitters, a Cedar Rapids gun store, reached behind the counter, and stole a .45 caliber Kimber pistol before fleeing the scene. Testimony at trial established that Glinn used an alias to get medical treatment at a local hospital for a wound visible in the videos the same evening as the theft.
Glinn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Glinn was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and he was ordered to make restitution of $1,019.95 to Sports Outfitters. 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Schunk and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshal Service, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 15-CR-00093.
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