Northern District of Iowa
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Waterloo Internet "Molly" Dealer Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Waterloo man who imported MDMA (also known as “ecstasy” or “Molly”) he ordered through the internet pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Adam Lawin, age 23, from Waterloo, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (also known as MDMA or “Molly”).
In a plea agreement, Lawin admitted that he obtained the MDMA by utilizing the highly encrypted drug trafficking marketplace website, Silk Road. Lawin also admitted he insulated himself from detection by law enforcement by having the packages delivered to friends or acquaintances, and paying those individuals a nominal fee (either a small amount of MDMA or cash) for delivering the packages to him. During a search of Lawin’s Waterloo residence on April 26, 2013, law enforcement seized over 1.3 kilograms of MDMA. During earlier searches, officers had seized over 250 grams of MDMA destined for Lawin.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Lawin was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Lawin faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and at least 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham and was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Securities Investigations, and the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is No. CR13-2040-1-LRR.
Dubuque Woman Sentenced for Trying to Hire Someone to Commit MurderRead the Press Release
A woman who used Craigslist to try to hire someone to commit murder was sentenced on February 5, 2014, to more than seven years in federal prison.
Megan Schmidt, 23, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 20, 2013, guilty plea to one count of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire.
In a plea agreement, Schmidt admitted that two advertisements were posted on the website “Craigslist” from her Apple iPhone, soliciting for someone to do a “one time job.” In response to the advertisements, multiple individuals contacted defendant by email, including an individual also from Dubuque. During an exchange of emails between Schmidt and this individual, Schmidt stated that she wanted a man killed. Eventually, using her cell phone, Schmidt called and spoke to a man in she thought was the individual she had emailed. However, Schmidt was actually talking to an undercover deputy from the Dubuque County Sheriff’s office. During this phone call, Schmidt agreed to pay $10,000 to have a man killed. The undercover deputy then arranged to meet Schmidt at a location in Dubuque in order to see a picture of the man Schmidt wanted killed. Following this meeting, Schmidt was arrested.
Schmidt was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Schmidt was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. Schmidt must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and was investigated by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office and the Dubuque Police Department.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov. The case file number is 13-CR-1013.
Kansas Man Sentenced to over 2 Years' Imprisonment for Stealing over $190,000 Worth of Scientific CalculatorsRead the Press Release
A man who, along with his brother, stole scientific calculators from Wal-Mart stores in multiple states and shipped the calculators to New York City, was sentenced on February 4, 2014, in federal court in Cedar Rapids to thirty months in federal prison.
Jacob Nelson, 31, from Wichita, Kansas, received the prison term after a November 19, 2013, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce.
At the November 19, 2013 plea hearing, Nelson admitted to agreeing with others to transport over $5,000 in stolen scientific calculators. Nelson further admitted that on August 13, 2013, he and a co-conspirator drove from Wisconsin into Iowa in possession of over 200 stolen scientific calculators valued at more than $26,000. Nelson also admitted that on August 13, 2013, he and a co-conspirator stole fourteen scientific calculators valued at $1,295 from the Wal-Mart in Maquoketa, Iowa. Nelson and his co-conspirator were arrested driving away from the Wal-Mart. Police officers then searched Nelson’s car and found hundreds of stolen calculators and two loaded handguns.
Nelson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Nelson was sentenced to thirty months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and he was ordered to make $163,974.96 in restitution to Wal-Mart. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Nelson’s brother, Caleb Nelson, 29, also from Wichita, Kansas, previously pled guilty on January 21, 2014 for his role in the conspiracy to transport stolen calculators. Caleb Nelson’s sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Maquoketa Police Department.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/. Jacob Nelson’s case file number is 13-CR-1021. Caleb Nelson’s case file number is 14-CR-1001.
Two Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Two men who conspired to distribute methamphetamine were sentenced on November 14, 2013, and January 31, 2014, each to one year in federal prison.
Robert Skarin, 54, and William Meisner, 54, both from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after July 23, 2013, and August 26, 2013, guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty pleas, each admitted that from the beginning of 2013 through April 2013 they distributed more than 50 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine in the Sioux City, Iowa area. Each further admitted that on at least two occasions they traveled together to Omaha, Nebraska, to obtain methamphetamine for later distribution in Sioux City. On April 3, 2013, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Skarin with Meisner as passenger. A search yielded a brown paper bag rolled up and hidden inside Skarin’s right sock. The bag contained over 80 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Skarin and Meisner intended to distribute some or all of this methamphetamine.
Both were sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Skarin was sentenced to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment. He must also serve a five year term of supervised release after the prison term. Meisner was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five year term of supervised release after the prison term. A special assessment of $100 was imposed to each of them. There is no parole in the federal system. Skarin and Meisner 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, which consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-4035.
Oran Man Sentenced to 110 Years for Sexually Exploiting Four Children and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Februay 4, 2014A man who sexually exploited four children and possessed child pornography was sentenced February 3, 2014, to 110 years in federal prison.
Benton Stong, age 76, of Oran, Iowa, received the sentence after a September 17, 2013, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of sexual exploitation of children and four counts of possession of child pornography.
The evidence at trial showed that, in 2012, Stong used, persuaded, induced, and enticed four children to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of this conduct. The evidence also showed that, between 2009 and 2012, Stong possessed child pornography at his residence in Oran.
Stong was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Stong was sentenced to 1,320 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $500 was imposed, and Stong must also serve a life 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 Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
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 13-2014.
Fenton Man Sentenced to Almost 30 Years on Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who enticed a minor to engage in sexual activity and possessed child pornography was sentenced February 3, 2014, to almost 30 years in federal prison.
Timothy Koenck, age 54, of Fenton, Iowa, received the sentence after a September 26, 2013, guilty plea to one count of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor by a person required to register as a sex offender, and two counts of possession of child pornography. Koenck previously had been convicted of enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography in 2001-2002.
Koenck was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Koenck was sentenced to 355 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $400 was imposed, and Koenck must also serve a ten-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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mower County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office.
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 13-3016.
Algona Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced February 3, 2014, to twelve years in federal prison.
Ryan Hansen, 32, from Algona, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 6, 2013, guilty plea to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty plea, Hansen admitted his involvement from September 2012 through March 2013 in a conspiracy that distributed at least 500 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Hansen admitted to obtaining ounces of methamphetamine in Minnesota on multiple occasions and distributing it in Iowa. On March 16, 2013, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Hansen was driving. Officers located and seized several bags of “ice” methamphetamine totaling 14.76 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Hansen admitted he had traveled to Minnesota to obtain the methamphetamine, transported it back to Iowa, and sold some of the methamphetamine in the Mason City area prior to being stopped by law enforcement.
Hansen was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Hansen was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Hansen 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa DCI Criminalistics Laboratory.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-3010.
Sheldon Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced January 8, 2014, to ten years in federal prison.
Leroy Raffaelli, 44, from Sheldon, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 25, 2013, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty plea, Raffaelli admitted his involvement in a conspiracy that distributed at least 50 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine from February 2011 through February 2013. On one occasion in January 2013, in Sheldon, Raffaelli distributed 9.76 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement.
Raffaelli was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Raffaelli was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Raffaelli 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-4013.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced January 22, 2014, to more than 10 years in federal prison.
Hector Ramirez, 29, residing in South Sioux City, Nebraska, received the prison term after an October 25, 2013, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty plea, Ramirez admitted his involvement in a conspiracy that distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from 2010 through May 2013. On April 24, 2013, law enforcement conducted a controlled buy with Ramirez who distributed over 25 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine.
Ramirez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Ramirez was sentenced to 128 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ramirez 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-4052.
Former Agriprocessors' Manager Hosam Amara Sentenced for Role in Alien Harboring ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Former Agriprocessors’, Inc., manager Hosam Amara was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison. Amara, age 49, received the prison term after an August 30, 2013, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to harbor undocumented aliens for profit.
In a plea agreement, Amara admitted he was a manager of the poultry side of Agriprocessors’ Postville facility. Amara admitted that, during at least the five years leading up to May 2008, he and several other Agriprocessors’ managers knowingly and willfully conspired to harbor undocumented alien workers at Agriprocessors’ Postville facility. Among Amara’s coconspirators was Agriprocessors’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Amara admitted the conspiracy was for the purpose of commercial advantage.
In the plea agreement, Amara also admitted that, in the Fall of 2007, an immigration agent warned Agriprocessors’ human resources manager that certain expired versions of resident alien cards should no longer be accepted as proof that alien employees were authorized to work in the United States. The human resources manager stopped accepting the cards, and Agriprocessors soon had a shortage of workers. Amara complained to the CEO about the worker shortage, and the CEO began causing new undocumented alien workers to be placed on the payroll of a separate company, Hunt Enterprises, to make it appear the undocumented aliens were not Agriprocessors’ employees. Knowing this, Amara told existing undocumented alien workers to encourage their family members to come to Agriprocessors for work.
In the plea agreement, Amara also admitted he fled to Israel in the wake of a May 12, 2008 immigration enforcement action at Agriprocessors in Postville. The CEO encouraged Amara to leave, telling him, “[j]ust go ahead and leave and forget about everything here.” The CEO gave Amara $4,000 to use for expenses including airfare. Amara was extradited to the United States in April 2013.
Amara was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Amara was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment – a sentence at the top of the sentencing range recommended by the United States Sentencing Guidelines -- to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Amara is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter Deegan, C.J. Williams, and Matthew Cole. The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Prior assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service; United States Postal Inspections Service; Iowa Department of Public Safety; Iowa Department of Transportation; Federal Protective Service; Internal Revenue Service B Criminal Investigations; United States Department of Labor; Public Health Service; United States Department of Agriculture; United States Environmental Protection Agency; Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Drug Enforcement Administration; Waterloo Police Department; and Postville Police Department.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 08-1324 LRR.
Boone Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed a firearm in furtherance of the drug conspiracy was sentenced January 30, 2014, to more than 10 years in federal prison.
James Edward Poole, 34, from Boone, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 13, 2013, guilty plea to one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
At the guilty plea, Poole admitted his involvement in a conspiracy from 2012 through January 2013 that distributed more than 1000 grams of mixed methamphetamine which contained at least 150 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. On January 8, 2013, officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle occupied by Poole and his wife, Shannon Poole. During a search of the vehicle, officers located and seized about over 134 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine, $377.74 in U.S. Currency, and a loaded handgun (namely a Kel-Tec .380). Poole admitted he had just obtained the methamphetamine from his source near Webster City, Iowa, and planned to distribute it to other person(s).
Poole was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Poole was sentenced to 126 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $200 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. Poole 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster City Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov /cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-3003.
Heroin Dealer SentencedRead the Press Release
The head of a heroin distribution conspiracy was sentenced January 30, 2014, to more than 27 years in federal prison.
Dwayne Appling, 37, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after an August 26, 2013, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and one count of distributing heroin near a school.
According to information disclosed at the sentencing hearing, between 2007 and March of 2010, Appling headed an organization responsible for distributing thousands of grams of heroin throughout the Waterloo area. Appling recruited at least eight other individuals to sell heroin on his behalf. Appling’s organization was extensive, involving over thirty other individuals who have been prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Appling was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Appling was sentenced to 327 months’ imprisonment on each count to run concurrently. The Court also imposed a special assessment of $200. He must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Appling is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and was investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force and the Tri-County Drug Task Force. The Cedar Rapids DEA Task
Force consists of the DEA; Linn County Sheriff's Office; Cedar Rapids Police Department; Marion Police Department; Iowa City Police Department; Clinton
Police Department; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. The Tri-County Drug Task Force consists of the Waterloo Police Department; Cedar Falls Police Department; Waverly Police Department; Bremer County Sheriff’s Office; Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office; LaPorte City Police Department; Evansdale Police Department; Hudson Police Department; and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR-11-2025.West Branch Man Charged with Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brady Verlo, age 22, of West Branch, Iowa, has been charged with one count of receipt of child pornography. The charge is contained in an Indictment filed on January 28, 2014, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, in August 2013, Verlo received child pornography.
If convicted, Verlo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and at least five years and up to life on supervised release following any imprisonment.
Verlo appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond. Verlo’s next appearance for a detention hearing is set for February 5, 2014.
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 was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Iowa City Police Department, and the West Branch 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 14-9.Former Employee of Financial Brokerage Sentenced to over Five Years in Federal Prison for Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
A former employee of a financial brokerage firm in Mason City, Iowa, who stole $391,725.31 from multiple firm clients was sentenced today to more than five years in federal prison.
Teresa Dorenkamp, 42, from Mason City, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 26, 2013, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
In a plea agreement, Dorenkamp admitted that, while employed by the financial brokerage, she fraudulently obtained money from the firm’s clients by falsely depositing money belonging to the clients into Dorenkamp’s or her husband’s bank accounts. Dorenkamp admitted one such false deposit occurred on June 3, 2011, when Dorenkamp had $36,139.60 wire transferred from a client’s investment account into Dorenkamp’s own bank account. Dorenkamp further admitted she forged the signature of that client in order to complete the false deposit. Dorenkamp further admitted she caused $391,725.31 in fraudulent transfers and deposits from May 2007 through August 2011.
Dorenkamp was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Dorenkamp was sentenced to 65 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $200 was imposed, and she was ordered to make $391,725.31 in restitution. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Dorenkamp was released on conditions previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mason City Police Department.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov. The case file number is 13-CR-03032.
Eldora Man Sentenced to 14 Years on Attempted Enticement and Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who attempted to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and distributed child pornography was sentenced January 16, 2013, to fourteen years in federal prison.
Kevin Trittien, age 35, of Eldora, Iowa, received the sentence after an October 9, 2013, guilty plea to one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of distribution of child pornography. At the guilty plea, Trittien admitted that, in 2012, he attempted to entice an undercover officer who was posing as a minor to meet for the purpose of unlawful sex with a minor. He also admitted that, in 2012, he distributed child pornography.
Trittien was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Trittien was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment and fined $8,000. A special assessment of $200 was imposed, and Trittien must also serve an eight-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 Garner Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.
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 13-67.
Northwest Iowa Trio Sent to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Three people who were part of a methamphetamine manufacturing ring operating in northwestern Iowa were sentenced to a combined 26 years in federal prison.
Chad Root, 42, from Waukon, Iowa, Enrique Manzo, 37, from Fredericksburg, Iowa, and Jessica Manzo, 31, from Fredericksburg, Iowa, received the prison terms after separate guilty pleas. Root pled guilty on August 19, 2013 to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine after a prior drug felony conviction, and possession of firearms as a felon. Enrique and Jessica Manzo each pled guilty on October 4, 2013 to conspiracy to possess and distribute pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Court records, along with information disclosed at their guilty plea and sentencing hearings, indicate that Root admitted he and others agreed to manufacture methamphetamine between April 2012 and April 2013. Root also admitted he possessed ten firearms, including one with an obliterated serial number. Root has multiple prior felony convictions. Enrique and Jessica Manzo each admitted that, over approximately the same time period, they obtained pseudoephedrine from other people and provided it for the manufacture of methamphetamine.
All three individuals were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Enrique Manzo was sentenced on November 26, 2013 to 100 months’ imprisonment. Jessica Manzo was sentenced on January 6, 2014 to 81 months’ imprisonment. Root was sentenced on January 7, 2014 to 141 months’ imprisonment. Each was ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. Enrique and Jessica Manzo must each serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Root is required to serve an 8-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
All three are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Decorah Police Department, the Monona Police Department, the Waukon Police Department, the Postville Police Department, and the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number for Chad Root is 13-CR-1007. The case file number for Enrique and Jessica Manzo is 13-CR-2019.
Meth Lab Fire Sends Dubuque Man to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who started a fire while trying to manufacture methamphetamine was sentenced on January 13, 2014 to 19 ½ years in federal prison.
Cory Cole, 47, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 9, 2013 guilty plea to the attempted manufacture of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school.
Information disclosed at the guilty plea and sentencing indicates that Cole admitted he attempted to cook methamphetamine on May 30, 2013, at a Dubuque residence. The methamphetamine lab caused a fire to erupt in the house. Two other individuals—neither of whom were involved in the methamphetamine activity—were present inside the residence. The residence was located within 1,000 feet of Fulton Elementary School.
Cole was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Cole was sentenced to 234 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Cole 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 Justin Lightfoot and investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force, the Dubuque Police Department, and the Dubuque Fire Department.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-CR-1015.Cresco Man Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Possession of Homemade BombRead the Press Release
A man who possessed a homemade bomb was sentenced today to more than seven years in federal prison.
Bjorn Luster, age 34, from Cresco, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 19, 2013, guilty plea to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, a destructive device.
The evidence in the case showed that during the execution of a search warrant at Luster’s residence in January 2013, law enforcement officers found a destructive device, specifically, a homemade bomb and a container of explosive powder. Luster admitted that he made the bomb and that he wrapped it with shrapnel (BBs and nails) to make it more destructive.
Luster was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Luster was sentenced to 87 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.
Luster is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The 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 prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and was investigated by the Cresco, Iowa, Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-CR-2021.
Odebolt Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Text of the pA man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced on December 19, 2013, to more than twelve years in federal prison.
Kevin Schimerowski, 46, from Odebolt, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 28, 2013, guilty plea to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Schimerowski admitted his involvement in a conspiracy from about 2012 through April 2013 that distributed more than five grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. On three occasions in February 2013, Schimerowski distributed over five grams actual (pure) methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.
Schimerowski was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Schimerowski was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve an eight-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Schimerowski must also serve an additional 6 months’ imprisonment for revocation proceedings on a prior federal conviction of conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Denison Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Sac County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-4038.
Dubuque Man Sentenced to over Eight Years' Imprisonment for Unlawful Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
A felon who unlawfully possessed two firearms was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison.
Daniel Campbell, age 30, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 5, 2013, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
The evidence at trial showed that around 11:00 p.m. on June 10, 2013, officers from the Dubuque Police Department responded to a 911 call regarding a man with a firearm on Bluff Street. As officers approached the area, they spotted Campbell who matched the description provided in the 911 call. When an officer asked Campbell to stop, Campbell ran away and pulled two guns from his pants. Campbell tossed one gun as he ran through an alley behind a church. Campbell took the second gun and fired a shot over his shoulder at the pursuing officers before tossing the gun into a fenced-in area behind the church. Campbell hid from officers in a trash pile a couple of blocks away before being apprehended around 12:30 a.m. Campbell had previously been convicted in United States District Court in 2007 of providing a false statement to a federal firearms licensee, a felony offense.
Campbell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge James E. Gritzner from the Southern District of Iowa. Campbell was sentenced to 97 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. Campbell 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 was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-CR-1010.
Illegal Alien Sentenced for Passport Fraud, False Claim of U.S. Citizenship and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
An illegal alien who attempted to obtain a U.S. passport using fraudulent and illegally obtained documents was sentenced November 25, 2013, to three years in federal prison.
Eduardo Rodriguez-Ayala, age 39, a citizen of Mexico, living in Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 14, 2013, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of unlawful possession of an identity document, one count of making false statements in a passport application, two counts of making a false claim of United States citizenship, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
The evidence at trial showed that on August 10, 2012, Rodriguez-Ayala, claiming to be a U.S. citizen, used a fraudulent Arizona birth certificate in his brother=s name to obtain an Iowa identification card and to register to vote. Three days later, on August 13, 2012, Rodriguez-Ayala used the falsely procured Iowa identification card and the fraudulent birth certificate to apply for a U.S. passport. Rodriguez-Ayala later gave a false name and date of birth to State Department agents investigating the passport application. Rodriguez-Ayala eventually admitted he used false documents and his brother=s identity to apply for the U.S. passport.
Rodriguez-Ayala was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Rodriguez-Ayala was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $600 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.
Rodriguez-Ayala 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 was investigated by agents from the United States Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 13-2009.
Dubuque Man Sentenced to over Four Years' Imprisonment for Distribution of Cocaine Near A PlaygroundRead the Press Release
A Dubuque man who sold cocaine from his residence near a playground was sentenced November 25, 2013, to more than four years in federal prison.
Shannon Huntington, age 43, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 20, 2013, guilty plea to two counts of distribution of cocaine near a protected location and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute near a protected location.
At the plea hearing, Huntington admitted he twice sold cocaine to law enforcement officers in January 2013 from his residence near Flat Iron Park in Dubuque. On January 18, 2013, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Huntington’s residence and found 396 grams of cocaine which Huntington intended to sell in Dubuque.
Huntington was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Huntington was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $300 was imposed. He must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Huntington 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 Dubuque Drug Task Force consisting of officers from the Dubuque Police Department and the Dubuque County Sheriff=s Office.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-CR-1006.
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced for Providing A Gun to A FelonRead the Press Release
A man who provided a gun to a felon was sentenced November 25, 2013, to more than three years in federal prison.
Demetrius Hardiman, age 19, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 6, 2013, guilty plea to one count of transferring a firearm to a prohibited person.
At the plea hearing, Hardiman admitted that on May 8, 2013, he knowingly gave a gun to his brother, a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms. Cedar Rapids Police Officers encountered Hardiman and his brother at 1:15 a.m. and discovered that Hardiman=s brother, a felon, unlawfully possessed a cocked and loaded 9mm handgun. Hardiman told officers that he stole the gun the year before and had his brother carry the gun that night for protection. Hardiman had been breaking into unlocked cars that night and intended to use the gun if confronted by the cars’ owners.
Hardiman was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Hardiman was sentenced to 41 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.
Hardiman is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The 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 prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 13-0037.Mason City Bank Teller to Federal Prison for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
A woman who embezzled nearly $70,000 from a Mason City bank was sentenced today to more than one year in federal prison.
Margaret Marie (Peggy) Sheese, age 54, from Mason City, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 16, 2013 guilty plea to one count of embezzlement by a bank employee.
In a plea agreement, Sheese admitted that, between about October 2011 and January 2013, she stole $69,200 from Northwood State Bank in Mason City. At the time, Sheese was a teller at the bank. Sheese admitted making twenty-nine secret withdrawals from accounts belonging to a particular bank customer. Sheese altered the bank’s records to falsely show that the bank customer’s mailing address had changed to a Post Office Box under Sheese’s control. By changing the mailing address, Sheese caused the bank to send the customer’s account statements to Sheese rather than to the customer. Sheese also admitted that, on January 15, 2013, she stole $2,000 in cash from the bank.
Sheese was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Sheese was sentenced to fourteen months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and she was ordered to make $71,680 in restitution to the victim bank and its fraud insurer. There is no parole in the federal system.
Sheese was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on December 16, 2013.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Deegan and was investigated by the Mason City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-3026 LRR.
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to over 17 Years on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who downloaded and possessed child pornography was sentenced today to over seventeen years in federal prison.
Brian Lynch, age 47, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the sentence after an August 1, 2013, guilty plea to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. At the guilty plea, Lynch admitted that, between March 2010 and March 2013, he used the Internet to download child pornography. He also admitted that, between November 2004 and April 2013, he possessed child pornography. In a plea agreement, Lynch admitted that he possessed over 350 videos and over 175 images of child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent children.
Lynch was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Lynch was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $200 was imposed, and Lynch must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release. He must comply with all sex offender registration and public notification requirements.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the DeWitt Police Department, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service.
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 13-29.
Waterloo Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Preparing and Filing Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A woman who formerly operated her own tax return preparation business and prepared and filed fraudulent federal tax returns was sentenced November 19, 2013, to over a year in federal prison.
Victoria Jones, 49, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 16, 2013, guilty plea to one count of aiding and assisting the preparation and filing of a false and fraudulent tax return.
In a plea agreement, Jones, who owned and operated a tax return preparation business in Waterloo, admitted she prepared and filed a false tax return on behalf of a client, fraudulently increasing the amount of the client’s refund by falsely claiming inflated business expenses and itemized deductions and falsely claiming the client was entitled to a tax credit. Jones further admitted she filed multiple other similarly false tax returns between 2007 and 2010. Finally, Jones admitted that the false and fraudulent tax returns she prepared and filed resulted in at least $30,000 in unwarranted refunds for her clients.
Jones was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Jones was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment and fined $15,000. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and she was ordered to make $4,833 in restitution the Internal Revenue Service. She must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
"Tax return preparers have a duty to their clients to prepare tax returns that comply with the law and are accurate," said Sybil Smith, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. "Taxpayers should not pay good money for bad advice."
Jones was released on conditions previously set by the United States District Court and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on December 16, 2013.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/. The case file number is 13-CR-02015.
Belmond Man Pleads Guilty to Making A False Statement to A BankRead the Press Release
A businessman who made a false statement to a bank in order to obtain a loan pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Marvin Redenius, age 49, from Belmond, Iowa, was convicted of one count of making a false statement to a financial institution.
At the plea hearing, Redenius admitted that, on November 10, 2006, he lied to the financial institution, claiming the purpose of the loan was for the purchase of farm equipment when, in fact, Redenius used the proceeds of the loan to purchase stock in a company.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Redenius remains free on bond previously set. Redenius faces a possible maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1 million fine, $100 in special assessments, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney C.J. Williams and was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-cr-3007.
Married Couple Guilty of Pseudoephedrine ConspriacyRead the Press Release
A man and woman who distributed pseudoephedrine for the use in the manufacture of methamphetamine pled guilty on October 4, 2013, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Enrique Manzo, 36, and his wife Jessica Manzo, 31, from Fredericksburg, Iowa, were each convicted of conspiring to distribute pseudoephedrine knowing that the pseudoephedrine would be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
At their respective plea hearings, the Manzo’s admitted to agreeing with each other and others, to collect pseudoephedrine and sell or trade the pseudoephedrine to a methamphetamine cook. Testimony at a prior hearing in the case indicated that Enrique and Jessica Manzo purchased pseudoephedrine from pharmacies themselves, but also received pills from other sources. On several occasions, pharmacy surveillance video captured other people buying pseudoephedrine and meeting Enrique or Jessica Manzo in the parking lot to hand them the pills.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Enrique and Jessica Manzo each remain in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. They each face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Northeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, including law enforcement officials from the Decorah Police Department, West Union Police Department, Postville Police Department, Monona Police Department, Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, and Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin /login.pl. The case file number is CR 13-2019.
Waterloo Man Sentenced to over Nineteen Years' Imprisonment for Robbing Two Banks and Assaulting A CustomerRead the Press Release
A man who robbed banks in Aurora and Frederika, Iowa, and pistol whipped a bank customer during the robbery in Frederika, was sentenced today in federal court in Cedar Rapids to 235 months in federal prison.
Steven Vandewalker, 38, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 30, 2013, guilty plea to one count of bank robbery and using a dangerous weapon to assault another person during the course of the robbery.
In a plea agreement, Vandewalker admitted he entered a bank in Frederika, Iowa, around 12:30 p.m. on October 23, 2012, carrying a handgun. Vandewalker was wearing a baseball cap and a mask covering the bottom of his face. After entering the bank, Vandewalker went into an office where a bank employee and a customer were talking and yelled at the two to get on the floor. Vandewalker then hit the customer in the face with the handgun, causing the customer to fall to the floor and breaking the customer’s right orbital socket. Vandewalker then went behind the teller counter and had a teller give him cash from the drawers and the bank safe. Vandewalker then fled the bank with more than $36,000. On October 26, 2012, officers searched Vandewalker’s home in Waterloo, finding $26,000 in cash and a handgun. At the sentencing hearing, Vandewalker admitted he also robbed a bank in Aurora, Iowa, on September 11, 2012, making off with over $11,000.
Vandewalker was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Vandewalker was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and he was ordered to make $30,005.38 in restitution to both banks and two insurance companies. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Vandewalker is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, the Waterloo Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/. The case file number is 13-CR-02010.
Milwaukee Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Minors to Cedar Rapids for the Purpose of ProstitutionRead the Press Release
A man who transported two minor girls from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the purpose of having them engage in prostitution pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Robert Jackson, age 31, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was convicted of one count of transporting minors across state lines with the intent they engage in prostitution.
At the plea hearing, Jackson admitted that on July 16, 2013, he transported two females, referred to in the indictment as Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the purpose of having them engage in prostitution. The girls were each under 18 years of age.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Jackson remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Jackson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney C.J. Williams and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Marion Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Milwaukee Human Trafficking Task Force.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-cr-0063.
Marion Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Fraud, Money Laundering, and Tax Evasion CountsRead the Press Release
A former investment broker who made false statements to banks, defrauded investors, and evaded taxes pled guilty today to eight felony offenses in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Randy Beltramea, age 49, from Marion, Iowa, was convicted of two counts of wire fraud, two counts of making false statements to financial institutions, two counts of money laundering, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of tax evasion.
In a plea agreement, Beltramea admitted that in 2009 and 2010, he devised a scheme to defraud former investors by soliciting money from them under false pretenses. In particular, Beltramea admitted telling former investors that their money was to be invested in Subway sandwich shop restaurants, when he actually intended to, and did, use their money in his own real estate investment and for his own personal expenses. In connection with soliciting money from one of the investors, Belramea provided the investor with a promissory note on which he forged the signature of another person who was involved in buying a Subway restaurant. In fact, that other person did not give Beltramea permission to use or sign his name to the promissory note. Beltramea also admitted that he moved some of the proceeds from the fraud into a bank account under his mother’s name for the purpose of trying to hide the source of the money and in an effort to evade taxes. The IRS had previously imposed a tax lien in excess of $320,000 against Beltramea because he had not filed tax returns or paid taxes since 2001. Finally, Belramea admitted that he obtained loans and loan extensions from two banks by providing them with false financial statements and with tax returns he falsely represented had been filed with the IRS.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Beltramea remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing.
Beltramea faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 137 years’ imprisonment, a $3,750,000 fine, $800 in special assessments, and 28 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney C.J. Williams and was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-20-LRR.
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced for Million Dollar Investment FraudRead the Press Release
A man who defrauded investors out of more than $1,000,000 was sentenced today to more than four years in federal prison.
Jeffrey J. Kinseth, age 58, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 11, 2013, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.
In a plea agreement, Kinseth admitted he was the president and principal shareholder of Virtual Vision, Inc. Kinseth admitted that, between March 2008 and September 2009, he solicited and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from at least eleven individual investors. Kinseth admitted falsely telling the investors all of their money would be invested through Virtual Vision as a purported pooled investment vehicle. Kinseth admitted he told the investors this, knowing he would, at least at times, fail to invest all of the investors= money and use some of the money to make payments to earlier investors and for other purposes. Kinseth also admitted that, of the investor funds actually traded, he consistently sustained losses. Kinseth admitted fraudulently concealing his misappropriation and trading losses by creating and issuing false account statements to investors that falsely reflected purported profits from their trading.
According to information disclosed at sentencing, Kinseth operated a Ponzi scheme that stretched from about October 2006 to about March 2010.
Kinseth was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Kinseth was sentenced to fifty-one months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Kinseth was also ordered to make $1,107,414.51 in restitution to the victims of his offense. There is no parole in the federal system.
Kinseth was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Deegan and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Office of the United States Trustee.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-51 LRR.
Wisconsin Man Sentenced for Defrauding Local RetailersRead the Press Release
A man who defrauded local retailers by switching UPC codes on consumer products was sentenced today to more than one year in federal prison.
Jeremy J. Fishnick, age 27, from Lancaster, Wisconsin, received the prison term after a July 1, 2013, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.
In a plea agreement, Fishnick admitted that, between at least July 2012 and November 20, 2012, he using home computer equipment and a printer to create fraudulent UPC codes on adhesive labels. He then entered retail stores and covered real UPC codes on higher‑priced models of certain products using the fraudulent UPC codes he created. In so doing, Fishnick caused the items to reflect substantially lower prices when electronically scanned at checkout. Fishnick admitted fraudulently purchasing products from stores in, at least, Dubuque, Iowa, Maquoketa, Iowa, Anamosa, Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Coralville, Iowa, Monticello, Iowa, and Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. Fishnick also admitted his scheme caused a loss to retailers of more than $30,000. Fishnick admitted that he sold or attempted to sell a substantial portion of the fraudulently-obtained items over the Internet.
Fishnick was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Fishnick was sentenced to fourteen months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and he was ordered to make $33,632.74 in restitution to victim retailers. The restitution amount included $9,912.75 to one retailer as compensation for costs incurred in investigating Fishnick’s offense. There is no parole in the federal system.
Fishnick was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on November 13, 2013.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Deegan and was investigated by the Dubuque, Iowa, Police Department; the Maquoketa, Iowa, Police Department; the Anamosa, Iowa, Police Department; the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Police Department; the Coralville, Iowa, Police Department; the Monticello, Iowa, Police Department; the Vinton, Iowa, Police Department; the Lancaster, Wisconsin, Police Department; and the Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, Police Department.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-1009 LRR.
Clarence Man Sentenced to over Two Years' Imprisonment for Failing to Forward Taxes He Withheld from His Employees' PaychecksRead the Press Release
A former business owner who withheld federal taxes from his employees’ paychecks but did not forward the money withheld to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), was sentenced on October 22, 2013, to more than two years in federal prison.
Eric Holub, 46, from Clarence, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 12, 2013, guilty plea to one count of failing to pay over to the IRS money he had withheld from his employees’ paychecks for required federal employment taxes.
In a plea agreement, Holub admitted that he was the owner of Premier Security, a private security business previously located in Cedar Rapids, and had served as the President and Treasurer of the business from 2003 through 2011. Holub admitted that from January 2008 through December 2009, he was responsible for withholding income taxes and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”) taxes from the pay of Premier Security employees and was responsible for forwarding those withholdings to the IRS. However, Holub admitted that for six calendar quarters in 2008 and 2009, he failed to forward the money he withheld from his employees’ pay to the IRS, even though he knew he was required to do so. In the plea agreement, Holub further admitted he also failed to pay to the IRS other taxes owed by Premier Security from 2008 through 2011. In total, Holub failed to send the IRS approximately $460,000 in taxes owed by Premier Security.
Holub was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Holub was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and he was ordered to make $438,426.17 in restitution to the IRS. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
"IRS Criminal Investigation takes these violations of law very seriously," said Sybil Smith, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. "Business owners have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service."
Holub was released on conditions previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on November 12, 2013.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/. The case file number is 13-CR-00032.
Prosecution of Violent Group That Commited Armed Robberies in Iowa and Nebraska Concluded with A Combined Sentences of More Than 139 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
The Sarg’s Mini Mart and Seoul Foods Robberies Investigations have been completed. Sioux City Police Chief Doug Young and United States Attorney’s Office Sioux City Branch Chief Tim Duax reported the results of the investigation at a press conference held at the Sioux City Police Department on Friday October 18, 2013.
On October 11, 2013 the last of the conspirators responsible for the June 19, 2012 Hobbs Act robbery of Seoul Foods in South Sioux City, Nebraska, the July 13, 2012 Hobbs Act robbery of Sarg’s Mini Mart in Sioux City, Iowa and other crimes as well (e.g., a large gun-burglary, a drive-by shooting, and an aborted robbery) was sentenced in federal court to 312-months in prison. This dangerous interstate criminal conspiracy was brought to justice by a strong interagency and intergovernmental partnership. The community can be proud of how its governments (city, county, state, and federal) worked together to quickly mitigate this threat and solve these crimes even as members of the conspiracy counted on state lines to interrupt and complicate the investigation and protect them from justice.
Summary of Facts
At trial, the change of plea hearings, and the sentencings of the defendants the United States revealed the following:
Sometime before June 19, 2012, David Johnson, Rudy Johnson, and other men committed a home burglary in Sioux City, Iowa and stole a semi-automatic rifle with two magazines (each capable of carrying 24 rounds of ammunition) and 17 other firearms.
Rudy Johnson kept this weapon at his home until sometime after June 19, 2012 when he unwittingly sold it (and the 16 other weapons) to law enforcement. Subsequently, law enforcement covertly bought another short-barreled shotgun, a semi-automatic assault rifle, and a pistol from Rudy Johnson and discovered Rudy Johnson’s firearms and drug supplier in Omaha, Nebraska.
This supplier was Troy Gee. Eventually law enforcement bought another 14 firearms, 346 rounds of ammunition, 2 bullet proof vests and two ounces of crack from Troy Gee.
Meanwhile, on two other occasions, also before June 19, 2012, David Johnson, Joshua Fields, Rudy Johnson, Austin Peters, and perhaps other associates, participated in an aborted robbery and a completed drive-by shooting. Defendant acknowledges he knew of the completed drive-by shooting before he joined the robbery conspiracies.
On June 19, 2012, Christopher Bailey, Joshua Fields, David Johnson, Rudy Johnson, Terrence Miles, and Austin Peters entered, surveilled and later used the (now shortened) stolen semi-automatic rifle to rob the clerks at Seoul Foods in South Sioux City, Iowa (a business then engaged in interstate commerce). The clerks and their children (ages 4, 10, 12, and 14) were inside the store at the time. Video surveillance of Seoul Foods revealed the victims were all forced to the floor at gun-point. Christopher Bailey pumped (i.e., readied for firing) and aimed a bb-gun rifle (that looked like a semi-automatic rifle) and robbed the clerks Seoul Foods. David Johnson carried the shortened semiautomatic rifle during the robbery. Josh Fields carried a pistol-styled bb-gun. Terence Miles had a bar or club and Rudy Johnson had a knife. Austin Peters was the "look-out and getaway driver."
The men escaped to Sioux City, Iowa after the robbery (which is also where the men had earlier planned the robbery and acquired weapons for the robbery). As they fled, one of the confederates explained they would be safe in Iowa because different states had different laws and cops. The money was put into equal piles, by denominations, and dealt out like cards equally to all participants in Josh Fields' Kitchen.During all the above, Paige Mathison and David Johnson were romantically involved and cohabitating. After the Seoul Foods Robbery, Austin Peters who had been the look-out and getaway driver for that robbery, left Sioux City, Iowa, and Rudy Johnson, who had provided the shortened-rifle for the Seoul Foods Robbery, withdrew it from the group's possession. Paige and Dustin Mathison, however, were both still in Sioux City, and Ms. Mathison had a car.
Mathison knew David Johnson, Joshua Fields, Christopher Bailey, Terrence Miles, and Austin Peters (at least) robbed the Seoul Foods in South Sioux, City, Nebraska, on June 19, 2012, and that - after this - Johnson, Fields, and Bailey had a "hit list" of businesses they were considering robbing.
On a handful of occasions, Mathison drove Josh Fields and David Johnson around scouting "licks" (i.e., businesses they might rob) and discussing how to conduct the various robberies. During these trips the hunting party was armed with a sawed-off shotgun with an obliterated serial number, that she had acquired from her brother, Dustin Mathison.
Mathison, Johnson and Fields discussed robbing and scouted (1) a bank in Correctionville (where Mathison and Johnson had once lived); (2) a bank and (3) a Pump 'N Pack in the Morningside area of Sioux City, Iowa and, of course, (4) Sarg's Mini Mart.
Finally, on July 13, 2012, Mathison, Johnson, Fields, and Bailey armed themselves with Dustin Mathison's sawed-off shotgun and loaded into Paige Mathison's car. They prowled Sioux City, Iowa looking for targets until they selected Sarg's: a site they had staked out the night before. Paige Mathison dropped off Johnson, Fields, and Bailey in an alley about a block from the store, so they could enter Sarg's Mini Mart with the sawed-off shotgun. She then relocated her car from the insertion point to the predetermined extraction point (much nearer the store).
Inside Sarg's the three men entered and waited to rob the store-clerk with the firearm (then secreted in the sleeve of Josh Field's shirt). When the store proved too busy, the men stepped outside, waited, passed the weapon around, and finally reentered. Christopher Bailey aimed the sawed-off shotgun directly at the clerk's face. He told police he thought the shotgun was loaded with a yellow shotgun shell at the time.
After the robbery, Paige Mathison picked up her confederates and drove them away while they ducked down at times to avoid detection.
Later that day, Mathison attempted to conceal the crime by returning the sawed-off shotgun to her brother (from whom she had acquired it), and checking one of her confederates into a hotel room registered in her name.
Results
The investigation resulted in the following convictions and sentences:
Joshua Fields pled guilty on February 26, 2013, and on August 15, 2013, Joshua Fields was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle; Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun, to be followed by 5-years supervised release. A special assessment of $700 was imposed.
David Johnson pled guilty on January 14, 2013, and on August 15, 2013, Johnson was sentenced to 343 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle; Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun, to be followed by 5-years supervised release. A special assessment of $700 was imposed.
Rudy Johnson pled guilty on February 20, 2013, and on August 15, 2013, was sentenced to 194 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle, to be followed by 5-years supervised release. A special assessment of $400 was imposed.
Dustin Mathison pled guilty on May 2, 2013, and on May 30, 2013, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment for Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun, to be followed by two-years supervised release. A special assessment of $100 was imposed.
Paige Mathison was convicted by jury at trial on June 19, 2013, and on August 21, 2013, was sentenced to 147 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun, to be followed by 5-years supervised release. A special assessment of $400 was imposed.
Terrence Miles pled guilty on March 13, 2013, and on August 15, 2013, was sentenced to 118 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle, to be followed by five-years supervised release. A special assessment of $300 was imposed.
Austin Peters pled guilty on March 26, 2013, and on August 15, 2013, was sentenced to 118 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle, to be followed by five-years supervised release. A special assessment of $300 was imposed.
Christopher Bailey pled guilty on February 26, 2013, and on October 11, 2013, was sentenced to 312 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle; Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun, to be followed by 5-years supervised release. A special assessment of $700 was imposed.
Additionally, in the District of Nebraska, on October 7, 2013, Troy Gee was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment, for the firearms and drug trafficking offenses discovered during this investigation, to be followed by 5-years supervised release. A special assessment of $500 was imposed.
Restitution obligation of $9000 payable to Northeast Nebraska Insurance shall be joint and several with the following co-defendants: Austin Peters; Joshua Fields; Christopher Bailey; Rudy Johnson; Terrence Miles; and David Johnson.
Restitution obligation of $600 payable to Sarg’s Mini Mart shall be joint and several with the following co-defendants: Joshua Fields; David Johnson; Christopher Bailey; and Paige Mathison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“This dangerous criminal conspiracy was brought to justice as a result of excellent cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement,” said United States Attorney Sean R. Berry. “The community can be proud of how its law enforcement agencies worked together to quickly solve these crimes and prevent further violence.”
Fields, Johnson, Johnson, Mathison, Mathison, Miles, Peters, and Bailey are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is No. CR12-4083-MWB.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a cooperative local, state, and federal program aimed at the enhanced prosecution of gun and violent crimes. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, The Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, the South Sioux City, Nebraska Police Department, the Woodbury County Iowa Attorney’s Office, and the Dakota County Nebraska Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Sigler (in Omaha Nebraska) and Forde Fairchild.Sioux City Community Health Center Pays $200,000 to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Siouxland Community Health Center (SCHC), a community health center in Sioux City, has agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Federal False Claims Act and the State of Iowa False Claims Act. The United States and the State of Iowa contend that SCHC improperly submitted claims to Iowa Medicaid for dental outreach services performed on children who were not eligible for the service because they were either recently treated in SCHC’s dental clinic or were recently the recipient of SCHC’s dental outreach services. As part of the settlement, SCHC did not admit to any wrongdoing or liability.
“It is important that all entities participating in the Medicaid system abide by all of the rules and provide only medically necessary services,” said Sean R. Berry, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. “Our office will continue to hold providers accountable to ensure that funds made available for public health purposes are properly utilized.”The state's Medicaid Program Integrity Unit initiated the investigation. False Claims Act cases also arise under the qui tam, or whistleblower provision of the Federal False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party may file suit upon behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery.
Charles City Woman Charged with Buying Firearms for FelonRead the Press Release
Wendi Patrie, age 44, from Charles City, Iowa, has been charged with committing four firearms offenses: two counts of making false statements in connection with buying firearms and two counts of transferring firearms to a felon. The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed yesterday in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The indictment charges Patrie with buying three firearms, one in 2010 and two in 2011, falsely claiming she was buying the firearms for herself when, in truth, she was purchasing the firearms for, and transferred the firearms to, her boyfriend and later husband, knowing he was a felon and could not legally possess firearms.If convicted, Patrie faces a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ in prison, a $1 million fine, $400 in special assessments, and 14 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Patrie’s trial is scheduled for December 2, 2013.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney C.J. Williams and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Charles City Police Department, and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-cr-2025.
Fugitive Caught with Stolen Firearm Headed to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A 19-year old fugitive from Illinois was sentenced to almost four years in federal prison after he was caught in Cedar Rapids with a gun that had been stolen during a home burglary.
Austin Curtis received the prison term after an August 13, 2013 guilty plea to possession of a firearm as a fugitive from justice.
Court documents show that Curtis was charged in Illinois with Domestic Battery Causing Bodily Harm. Instead of appearing in court on the domestic battery charge, Curtis removed a court-ordered ankle bracelet that monitored his location and fled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Curtis had previously lived. During an April 22, 2013 traffic stop in Cedar Rapids, Curtis was found with a 9 millimeter pistol in his waistband. The pistol had been stolen from a home burglary that occurred in Cedar Rapids that same day. At the time he was found with the pistol, Curtis was on probation for a residential burglary that occurred in 2012 in Illinois.
Curtis was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Curtis was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. Curtis must serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Curtis 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 Justin Lightfoot, and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of the FBI; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; and the High Risk Unit, Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-CR-46.
Dubuque Man to Federal Prison for 30 Years for Distributing Heroin Resulting in Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
A man who sold heroin to a person who overdosed and died from using the heroin was sentenced today in federal court in Cedar Rapids to serve 30 years in prison.
Alvin Stanley Briggs, Jr., age 50, from Dubuque, Iowa, pled guilty to distribution of heroin resulting in death. At the plea hearing, Briggs admitted that on July 3, 2012, he sold $100 worth of heroin to an individual identified as S.R., and that S.R. died as a result of using that heroin.
Briggs was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Briggs was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a five-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 Dan Chatham and was investigated by the Platteville, Wisconsin, Police Department, and the Dubuque, Iowa, Drug Task Force.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 2:13-CR-01004-LRR.
Two South Dakota Men Plead Guilty to Federal Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Two men who crossed state lines to commit sex acts with a minor pled guilty in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Mensur Malik, age 22, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was convicted of one count of transporting a minor across a state line with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Salim Issa, age 22, from Sioux Falls, was convicted of one count of traveling across a state line for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct.At a plea hearing on September 23, 2013, Malik admitted that, in July 2012, he transported a minor female from Iowa to South Dakota with the intent to engage in sexual activity with her. At a plea hearing on September 13, 2013, Issa admitted that, in July 2012, when he and Malik traveled from South Dakota to Iowa, he intended to have sex with the minor female.
Sentencings before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after presentence reports are prepared. Both Malik and Issa remain in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Malik faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and supervised release for 5 years to life following his imprisonment. Issa faces a possible maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and supervised release for 5 years to life following his imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Clear Lake, Iowa, Police Department, the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 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 13-3024.
Lake Mills Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who distributed and received child pornography pled guilty on September 25, 2013, in federal court in Sioux City.
Daniel Mines, age 39, from Lake Mills, was convicted of one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.
At the plea hearing, Mines admitted that, between October 2010 and March 2011, he distributed and received child pornography. In a plea agreement, Mines admitted he used cell phones to trade child pornography with others.Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Mines was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Mines faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, a $200 special assessment, and supervised release for 5 years to life following his imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the 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 13-3017.
Fenton Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
A man who enticed a minor to engage in sexual activity and possessed child pornography pled guilty on September 26, 2013, in federal court in Sioux City.
Timothy Koenck, age 54, from Fenton, was convicted of one count of enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor by a person required by federal and Iowa law to register as a sex offender, and two counts of possession of child pornography after having been convicted of an offense relating to sexual abuse or abusive sexual conduct involving a minor.At the plea hearing, Koenck admitted that, between 2010 and 2012, he used a cell phone and the Internet to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and possessed child pornography. Koenck previously had been convicted of enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography in 2001-2002.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Koenck remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Koenck faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a $400 special assessment, and supervised release for 5 years to life following his imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mower County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office.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 13-3016.
Cresco Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing Two GunsRead the Press Release
A man who fired a shotgun out of a car window in Calmar, Iowa, pled guilty in federal court in Cedar Rapids on September 25, 2013, to unlawfully possessing the shotgun and a rifle.
Daniel Wildman, 24, from Cresco, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being a felon and an unlawful user of marijuana in possession of firearms.
In a plea agreement, Wildman admitted he drove from Ossian, Iowa, to Calmar, Iowa, in the early morning on October 12, 2012, in order to find two individuals who had confronted Wildman earlier that morning about money one of them believed Wildman owed him. Wildman found the two individuals, who were with a third person, and defendant parked his car so that the driver’s side window was facing the three people. Wildman then stuck a shotgun out the driver’s window and fired it three or four times, hitting a nearby house with bird shot. No people were hit or injured. Wildman drove away from the scene of the shooting and returned to a farm in Ossian. Police eventually caught Wildman in a nearby cornfield. Police also searched an outbuilding where Wildman was staying in his RV, finding both the shotgun Wildman fired and a 9mm rifle. In the plea agreement, Wildman admitted he was a convicted felon and an unlawful user of marijuana and he unlawfully possessed both guns.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Wildman remains detained pending sentencing. Wildman faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Calmar Police Department.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-CR-2018.
of the press release can be pasted over the following paragraphs.
Vail, Iowa, Man to Federal Prison for Meth ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced September 19, 2013, to 10 years in federal prison.
Jeffrey Duane Krowiorz, II, 25, from Vail, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 16, 2013, guilty plea to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty plea, Krowiorz admitted that on September 28, 2012, he possessed over 18 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine and intended to distribute the methamphetamine to other persons. Krowiorz attempted to flee (on foot) when officers made contact with him regarding an outstanding arrest warrant. Krowiorz was apprehended a short distance away and officers seized from Krowiorz three separate baggies of methamphetamine concealed within a body spray container converted into a storage container.
Krowiorz was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Donald E. O’Brien. Krowiorz was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve an eight-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Krowiorz 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Spirit Lake Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 12-4098.Jury Convicts Fayette County Man on Child Sexual Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who sexually exploited four children and possessed child pornography was convicted by a jury on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, after a two-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Benton Stong, age 76, from Oran, Iowa, was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation of children and four counts of possession of child pornography. The verdict was returned following about one hour of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that, in 2012, Stong used, persuaded, induced, and enticed four children to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of this conduct. The evidence also showed that, between 2009 and 2012, Stong possessed child pornography at his residence in Oran.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Stong remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Stong faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 110 years’ imprisonment, $1,250,000 in fines, $500 in special assessments, and at least five years and up to life on supervised release following any imprisonment. He also will be required to register as a sex offender.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
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 13-2014.
Hiawatha Search Warrant Results in Federal Prison SentencesRead the Press Release
Two men associated with a Hiawatha, Iowa residence that contained over 330 pounds of marijuana, four loaded firearms, and over $37,000 in cash, were sentenced to federal prison today.
Kenny Emilio Salguero, 29, and Kenneth Stepter, 20, received the prison terms following guilty pleas on June 5 and June 6, respectively, to conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Salguero was sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison. Stepter received a sentence of over 7 years.
Information disclosed at the plea and sentencing hearings indicated that Salguero and Stepter each admitted agreeing with others to distribute large quantities of marijuana, including “high grade” marijuana. Drug ledgers seized at the residence during the execution of a March 26, 2013 search warrant showed that several loads of marijuana had been received at both the Hiawatha residence and a Cedar Rapids warehouse that was leased by Salguero. According to the ledgers, Salguero profited from some of these loads, earning $13,000 from one shipment alone. Four loaded firearms were seized in the residence, along with over 330 pounds of marijuana and $37,503 in bundled cash. One of the firearms was located in close proximity to Stepter, who was the only person present at the time of the search. The evidence also showed that Stepter encouraged a minor to become involved in the marijuana distribution activities.
Salguero and Stepter were each sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Salguero was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment. Stepter received a sentence of 87 months’ imprisonment. Both were ordered to pay special assessments of $100, and will be required to serve 4-year terms of supervised release after their prison terms. There is no parole in the federal system.
Salguero and Stepter are both 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 Justin Lightfoot, and was investigated by the Hiawatha Police Department and the Cedar Rapids Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, which consists of DEA; Linn County Sheriff's Office; Cedar Rapids Police Department; Marion Police Department; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services’ and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 13-23.
Felon to Spend 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Firearm in WaterlooRead the Press Release
Text oA felon who possessed a 9 millimeter pistol during a Waterloo traffic stop was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison.
Delvonn Battle, 31, from Des Moines, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 23, 2013 jury verdict finding him guilty of possessing the firearm as a felon.
The evidence at trial showed that the Waterloo Police Department stopped a vehicle just before midnight on January 13, 2012. Ryan Marshall, a friend of Battle’s, was driving the vehicle. Battle was seated in the front passenger seat and a third occupant, Darrell Hardy, was in the rear seat. Police officers found the loaded firearm directly under Battle’s seat. Battle was a felon.
Battle was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Battle was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, which was the maximum possible sentence. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. Battle must serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal prison.
Battle’s sentence was enhanced based on the Court’s finding that defendant used the firearm in a shooting at a busy Des Moines gas station just one month prior to the traffic stop. State ballistics evidence showed that the firearm found under Battle’s seat was the exact same firearm used in the shooting. Four shots were fired, with one shot hitting the victim in the leg. A police officer at the scene of the shooting provided a physical description of the shooter, which matched Battle’s general description. An eyewitness to the shooting also testified at trial. This witness personally knew Battle, and testified that Battle was the shooter.
Battle 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 Justin Lightfoot, and was investigated by the Waterloo Police Department Violence Crime Apprehension Team (VCAT), the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Tri-County Drug Task Force, which is composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Bremer County Sheriff’s Office, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, LaPorte City Police Department, Evansdale Police Department, Hudson Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-CR-2005.
Waterloo Man Pleads Guilty to Harboring Illegal Aliens Through Waterloo RestaurantRead the Press Release
Yu Jiang, age 30, from Waterloo, Iowa, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to one count of conspiracy to transport, harbor and encourage illegal aliens to reside in the United States.
Jiang admitted that during 2011 and 2012, he and others, doing business as the Hibachi Sushi Buffet restaurant in Waterloo, Iowa, knowingly employed undocumented foreign nationals to work at the restaurant. The workers were provided housing by the restaurant and were transported on a daily basis to and from an apartment rented for the workers by Jiang. The workers were provided meals at the restaurant at no charge and were paid in cash for their services.
Jiang faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years= imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. Jiang, a citizen of China, could also be deported following service of any term of incarceration.
A sentencing date will be set after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation report. Jiang was released on bond.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard L. Murphy and was investigated by Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-CR-02017.
Arkansas Man Found Guilty of Crack Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute crack cocaine was convicted by a jury September 11, 2013, after a three-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.
Jeffery Thompson, 39, originally from Osceola, Arkansas, but residing in Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and one count of distributing crack cocaine. The verdict was returned following about three hours of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed Thompson was involved in a conspiracy from about 2008 and continuing through about 2011 that distributed 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. Evidence also showed that on or about June 18, 2010, in Sioux City, Iowa, Thompson distributed crack cocaine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. Thompson has been previously convicted of four prior felony drug offenses from 2001 to 2013.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Thompson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the conspiracy conviction, Thompson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of a $20,000,000 fine, a special assessment of $100. On the distribution conviction, he faces the following maximum penalties, up to 30 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $2,000,000; a mandatory special assessment of $100; and a term of supervised release of at six years to life.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 12-4081.
Algona Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty September 6, 2013, in federal court in Sioux City.
Ryan Hansen, 32, from Algona, Iowa, was convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Hansen admitted his involvement from September 2012 through March 2013 in a conspiracy that distributed at least 500 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Hansen admitted to obtaining ounces of methamphetamine in Minnesota on multiple occasions and distributing it in Iowa. On March 16, 2013, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Hansen was driving. Officers located and seized several bags of “ice” methamphetamine totaling 14.76 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Hansen admitted he had traveled to Minnesota to obtain the methamphetamine, transported it back to Iowa and sold some of the methamphetamine in the Mason City area prior to being stopped by law enforcement.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Hansen remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Hansen faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and ten years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa DCI Criminalistics Laboratory.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-3010.