Southern District of Iowa
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Student Group’s First Amendment Case Against University of IowaRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today filed a Statement of Interest in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa supporting the claim of a student group, Business Leaders in Christ, that the University of Iowa violated its First Amendment rights when it de-registered the group for requiring its student group leadership to sign a statement of faith. The government argues in its Statement of Interest that the University violated BLinC’s First Amendment rights to free association and free speech.
“As the Department of Justice has repeatedly emphasized over the last two years, public universities are legally required by to protect the First Amendment rights of students,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. “Unfortunately, too many schools are ignoring their legal obligations—and they are also undermining the very purpose of a university education, which is to advance learning through a free and robust exchange of ideas. The American people expect that their tax dollars will fund administrators and faculty who respect the Constitution. The Department of Justice will continue to get involved in these kinds of cases until this alarming trend is reversed.”
“The First Amendment freedoms of association, speech, and religion prohibit public colleges and universities from suppressing the expression and beliefs of student groups that officials disagree with,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “The University of Iowa in this case de-registered Business Leaders in Christ because university officials did not like its message. That is forbidden by the Constitution.”
The case, Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) v. University of Iowa, involves a Christian student group at the University of Iowa Tippie School of Business, Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC). University policies prohibit student groups from discriminating on a wide range of bases, including sexual orientation and gender identity. BLinC puts no limitations on regular general membership, but requires group leadership to sign and abide by its statement of faith, including a belief that sexual relations should only occur between a husband and wife. The University acknowledged that BLinC did not discriminate against anyone who wanted to sign and abide by the statement of faith, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. However, the University claims that BLinC’s statement of faith makes LGBT persons unwelcome and therefore excludes them. However, the University freely admits that it allows registered student organizations to express viewpoints on sexual relationships and gender identity that differ from BLinC’s viewpoint.
Due to the University’s disagreement with BLinC’s statement of faith, the University de-registered BLinC, stripping it of the right to participate in the student activity fair, use the university website, or use university space for meetings and events on an equal basis with other student groups. BLinC filed a lawsuit in December 2017.
The United States’ Statement of Interest argues that the University’s treatment of BLinC violated the Constitution in three ways. First, the University violated BLinC’s right of expressive association, which forbids exclusion of groups on the ground that officials find their views abhorrent. Second, that the University discriminated against BLinC based on its views on sexuality in violation of the fundamental free-speech principle the keeps the government from discriminating based on differing viewpoints. Finally, the government argues that it violated BLinC’s rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment by discriminating against its religious beliefs.
Former Clinton Woman Sentenced to Prison for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On December 17, 2018, Shantae Daane Salther, age 40, formerly of Clinton, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, after being found guilty of False Statements, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Salther was ordered to serve a period of supervised release of three years and a $100 special assessment payable to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
Salther was found guilty by a jury on August 3, 2018. Salther alleged disability as of July 1, 2014, due to several issues including a traumatic brain injury and complications from a motorcycle accident. When applying for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration, Salther alleged functional limitations specifically, that she could not drive and could not go out of the house alone. As a result of her application, Salther was evaluated by a psychologist who stated she was malingering and she had presented false information. In addition, the investigation revealed Salther lied about her functional information. Evidence presented at trial revealed Salther was able drive and go out of the house alone.
This matter was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the State of Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office-Southern District of Iowa.
Coralville Attorney Sentenced to Federal Prison on Mail Fraud and False Claims ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA-- On December 19, 2018, Soo Hyun Jung, also known as Jay Jung, age 46, from Coralville, was sentenced to 38 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Mail Fraud and one count of False Claims to a Government Agency, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Jung was ordered to serve three years of supervised release, pay a $300 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and pay $618,021 in restitution to twelve victims.
From 2014-2016, Jung represented clients as an attorney and tax preparer. Jung admitted in 2014, he agreed to represent a client to prepare tax returns. Jung filed tax returns and requested refunds. In July 2015, Jung contacted IRS to check on the status of these returns. During this contact, Jung updated the client’s home address on file with the IRS to Jung’s business address in Coralville. In August 2015, Jung filed additional tax returns without the consent of the client. These additional returns contained information that was not accurate and requested refunds. These returns included a 2013 return submitted to the United States Department of Treasury on August 22, 2015, that falsely claimed a refund of $15,252. As a result, in October 2015, three United States Treasury refund checks totaling $202,179 were received by Jung. Jung forged an endorsement on these checks and, in a series of transfers, caused these funds to be deposited into his personal bank account. Jung used $83,200 of these funds in November 2015 to purchase a 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe. In May 2016, in relation to a different client, Jung caused an investment fund to be cashed out and a $200,000 check mailed to Jung in Coralville, Iowa. Jung later caused these funds to be deposited into his personal bank account and withdrew $115,000.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Central Iowa Insurance Agent Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Defrauding Elderly ClientsRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On December 18, 2018, Roger Duane Goodwin, age 60, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for Mail Fraud charges in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger ordered Goodwin pay restitution to the victims totaling $934,931.21 and ordered Goodwin’s residence in Windsor Heights and a Harley Davidson motorcycle be forfeited to the United States.
Goodwin was found guilty of seven counts of mail fraud on August 9, 2018, following a four-day jury trial. At trial, the government presented evidence that Goodwin owned and operated “Goodwin Network of Advisors, Inc.” which was also referred to as “Goodwin Network”, “GN of A”, and “GNA Corp.” and sold life insurance and annuities to individuals in the Des Moines and Houston, Texas areas. From February 2013 through August 2016, Goodwin advised several of his clients to surrender or cash out existing investments—totaling over $1 million—in order to use those funds to purchase insurance products from him. Instead of purchasing insurance policies or annuity contracts for these clients as promised, Goodwin deposited the clients’ checks into a bank account associated with Goodwin Network of Advisors – which only Goodwin and his spouse could access. Goodwin kept all or large portions of the funds and used the money for unauthorized purposes that were not for the benefit of the affected clients. Goodwin used his clients’ money, unbeknownst to them, for his personal expenses including paying his mortgage, making vehicle payments, remodeling and other home improvement for his residence, travel, and various personal retail expenditures. Goodwin used small portions of the client’s funds in order to repay other clients of Goodwin’s and to make payments to the insurance companies for the benefit of other clients whose money Goodwin had failed to earlier send to the insurance company.
“Roger Goodwin targeted elderly citizens, won their trust, and then took their money through fraud,” said United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. “This lengthy prison sentence holds him accountable, and it should serve as a warning to anyone who is tempted to prey upon our seniors.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Des Moines Child Pornographer and Sex Abuser Sentenced to 40 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On December 7, 2018, Raymond Wayne Eugene Hall, age 33, was sentenced on federal child pornography charges to 40 years in federal prison and a life term of supervised release in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
Hall, who resided in Des Moines, Iowa, pleaded guilty on June 11, 2018, to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, otherwise known as production of child pornography. Hall pleaded guilty to making child pornography with a hidden camera, he also admitted to making child pornography of another victim, namely recording himself engaged in various sex acts with the victim. Hall made some of the videos using his cell phone, and stored the child pornography on his personal laptop computer.
Hall’s sentence was enhanced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger due to his criminal history. He had previously been convicted in 2006 in Polk County, Iowa of sexual exploitation of children for collecting child pornography. As a consequence of the 2006 state court conviction, Hall was required to register on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. His sentence was enhanced, in part, based on this prior conviction and his status as a registered sex offender.
“Prosecuting people who prey on children is one of the top priorities of our office,” stated United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. “Raymond Hall is precisely the type of sexual predator we need to take off the street.” Krickbaum added, “we have strong partnerships established with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to provide maximum pursuit of child sexual predators. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office became aware of Hall’s activities, partnered with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, and then got federal authorities involved. This was a total team effort, and will keep the community safer for decades to come.”
The case was a joint federal-state-local effort, involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wayne County Attorney’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the United States Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children.
Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.
Glenwood Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on December 6, 2018, Steven Horton, age 40, of Glenwood, was sentenced to 84 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose. The defendant pleaded guilty to accessing child pornography on July 24, 2018.
Operation Pacifier was an investigation conducted by the FBI into Playpen, a website on TOR hosted as hidden service. Playpen operated as a message board-type website where registered users would distribute and share images and videos of child pornography. Horton registered with Playpen on October 27, 2014, and was actively logged into Playpen for over 21 hours between the registration date and February 28, 2015.
This case was investigated by Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pottawattamie County Sheriff Department, and Glenwood Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.Two Arizona Men Sentenced for Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute HeroinRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced that on December 6, 2018, 39 year-old Richard Ortiz and 34 year-old Gerardo Alatorre Quintero were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose. Ortiz was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Alatorre Quintero was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Ortiz pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance on July 6, 2018. Alatorre Quintero pled guilty to the same charge on August 7, 2018.
On November 17, 2017, Ortiz and Alatorre Quintero were driving a U-Haul truck when they were stopped by a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s deputy for speeding. Ortiz gave the deputy permission to search the U-Haul, and the deputy located 25 packages hidden inside tires inside the U-Haul. The heroin weighed 6.97 kilograms, and the fentanyl weighed 15.62 kilograms.
This matter was investigated by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE). This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced that on December 6, 2018, 36 year old Beau Croghan was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 110 months of imprisonment, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. A jury found the Croghan guilty of Receipt of Child Pornography on August 22, 2018.
Operation Pacifier was an investigation conducted by the FBI into Playpen, a website on The Onion Router (TOR) hosted as hidden service. Playpen operated as a message-board type website where registered users would distribute and share images and videos of child pornography. Croghan registered with Playpen on September 27, 2014, and Croghan was actively logged into Playpen for over 13 hours between September 27, 2014, and March 4, 2015.
This matter was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced for Prohibited Person in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced that on December 6, 2018, 39 year-old Brian Reed was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 105 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
On January 27, 2017, law enforcement officers were called to a residence in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a complaint about a man threatening people with a gun. A search of the residence revealed a loaded 9mm handgun in the kitchen. 9mm ammunition was later recovered during the execution of a search warrant at the same residence on August 28, 2017. Reed was a convicted felon and drug user at the time he possessed the ammunition. Reed pled guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition on May 24, 2018.
This matter was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department, the Fourth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Des Moines Residents Sentenced for Felony Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act OffenseRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Des Moines residents, Scott William Twaddle, age 51, to 12 months and one day in prison, and Jana Marie Harmon Twaddle, age 52, to three years of probation with two months of home detention for Dispensing Prescription Drugs Without a Valid Prescription While Held for Sale, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Scott Twaddle was ordered to serve one year of supervised release following his imprisonment and pay a $10,000 fine. Both defendants forfeited $200,000 in U.S. currency seized from their residence during the investigation and were ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
According to the plea agreements entered on July 25, 2018, the Twaddles admitted that from about October 2014 to December 7, 2016, with the intent to defraud and mislead state and federal regulators, the Twaddles sold certain injectable Vitamin B12 prescription drugs to end users through websites, including www.medsupplystore.net. The Twaddles sold these prescription drugs, which were also “unapproved new drugs” without first obtaining prescriptions from the end user. Previously, in June 2014, the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the Iowa Board of Pharmacy conducted an on-site inspection of Medical Supply Liquidators LLC, a warehouse and distributor of prescription drugs including various assortments of injectable Vitamin B12, operated by the Twaddles in the Des Moines area. At that time, the Twaddles dispensed prescription drugs without any valid prescriptions to end users via www.medicalsupplyliquidators.com. In June 2014, the FDA inspection team specifically informed the Twaddles that their distribution of prescription drugs without first receiving proof of a prescription from the customer violated federal law.
“Illegally dispensing prescription drugs can put consumers’ health at risk,” said Charles L. Grinstead, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who jeopardize U.S. consumers’ health and safety.”
“It is our sincere desire that this prosecution and the resulting sentences will serve as a deterrent to anyone who may be tempted to violate this very important health and safety statute,” said United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Davenport Man Sentenced to 45 Months in Prison on Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa-- On November 28, 2018, James Edward Hawkins, also known as Jamie Hawkins, age 22, of Davenport, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 45 months in prison, following his guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm, according to United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Hawkins was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. The firearm was forfeited.
On April 11, 2018, the Davenport Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on West 10th Street. At that time, Hawkins had multiple pending arrest warrants for escape and officers had developed information that Hawkins possessed at least two firearms. As part of the search, officers found and seized a loaded .45 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number. Hawkins admitted to possession of this handgun. During sentencing, Judge Rose commended the Davenport Police Department for their diligence in pursuing information that identified Hawkins and his possession of firearms. After he serves his prison sentence, Hawkins’ terms of supervised release will include a special condition that prohibits his knowing contact, association or membership with the Savage Life street gang.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. This investigation was conducted by the the Davenport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Davenport Man Sentenced to Prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On November 27, 2018, Kevonte Deoblo Kirk, age 23, of Davenport, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 30 months in prison, following his guilty plea to a Felon in Possession of a Firearm charge, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Kirk was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
Kirk pleaded guilty to the charge on July 16, 2018. On March 15, 2015, Davenport Police Officers were dispatched to 732 W. 14th Street in reference to gun shots fired. Dispatch advised law enforcement that a gray sedan was involved. Officers arrived in the area and observed a vehicle matching that description. The officers followed the vehicle a short distance and a traffic stop was initiated; however, the vehicle fled. A high-speed chase ensued and the suspect vehicle hit other cars and sped over 100 miles per hour. The car then pulled into a gas station and all three passengers fled the vehicle.
Officers apprehended Kirk as he attempted to climb over a fence. A search incident to arrest revealed a loaded Hellcat .380 caliber gun in his left front pocket. Kirk admitted that he had the gun for protection and knew it was loaded. Kirk was currently on probation for a felony deferred judgment. Two shell casings recovered from the shooting scene matched the gun that was found on Kirk. Further investigation revealed that the firearm had been stolen from a Davenport residence.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Davenport Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Davenport Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Distributing Heroin Resulting in an Overdose DeathsRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On November 27, 2018, Larry Lazzez Bolden, age 50, of Davenport, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 360 months of imprisonment after pleading guilty to Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Bolden was ordered to serve a period of supervised release of five years to follow his prison term and pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
Bolden pleaded guilty to the charge on June 27, 2018. On December 28, 2016; January 7, 2017; January 29, 2017; and January 31, 2017; Bolden distributed a mixture or substance containing heroin to a confidential source. On January 20, 2017, T.Z., N.S., and another individual traveled to the Knights Inn hotel in Davenport, for the purpose of purchasing heroin. T.Z. had previously arranged to purchase $40 in heroin from Bolden. While at the Knight’s Inn hotel, T.Z. obtained heroin from Bolden. After obtaining the substance, the three individuals traveled to T.Z.’s apartment in Rock Island, Illinois, where they ingested the heroin. Within moments, N.S. lost consciousness and died shortly thereafter. Autopsy results confirmed N.S. died due to the “adverse effects of morphine, furanyl fentanyl, and acryl fentanyl.” As part of the plea agreement, Bolden agreed that N.S. would not have died but for the use of the substance Bolden supplied T.Z. on January 20, 2017. Further, Bolden admitted the purported heroin he distributed to T.Z. on January 20, 2017, resulted in the death of N.S. and that N.S.’s death was not merely from a combination of factors to which drug use merely contributed.
During the evening of January 29, 2017, E.M. and two other individuals drove to the Knight’s Inn hotel in Davenport for the purpose of obtaining heroin. E.M. had contacted Bolden’s cellular telephone to arrange the transaction. E.M. went into the Knight’s Inn and obtained the substance. The three of them then drove back to E.M.’s residence in Moline, Illinois, where they ingested the substance shortly thereafter. E.M. was found the next morning (January 30, 2017) deceased. Autopsy results confirmed E.M. died due to the “adverse effects of morphine, furanyl fentanyl, and acryl fentanyl.” Bolden admited E.M. arranged the transaction with the cellular phone belonging to Bolden, and that the transaction took place in the hotel room belonging to Bolden.
This matter was investigated by the Davenport and Rock Island Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Orient Man Sentenced for Federal Crop Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On November 16, 2018, Carl Jeffrey Campbell, age 71, of Orient, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to three years of supervised release, with four months of home confinement for making a false statement in connection with federal crop insurance, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Campbell was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and $32,440 to the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) as restitution. Campbell was also ordered to serve 160 hours of community service.
Campbell pleaded guilty to the offense on July 6, 2018. In 2014, Campbell obtained crop insurance for two farms from an insurance company that was insured by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. The Federal Reinsured Crop Program is administered by the Risk Management Agency, which is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which is a wholly-owned government corporation. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation reimburses insurance companies for the indemnity payments made to policyholders under the Federal Reinsured Crop Program.
Crop shifting occurs when a farmer underreports production in a field in order to reach the percentage of loss required to receive an indemnity from their crop insurance policy. Campbell “shifted” production from one farm to another by reporting that several
thousand bushels of grain were harvested from one farm when he knew that those bushels were in fact harvested from the other farm. By reporting the bushels of grain from the incorrect farm, or shifting the production, Defendant received insurance indemnities to which he was not entitled. Defendant also “hid” production by not reporting to the USDA or Federal Crop Insurance Corporation several thousand bushels of corn sold in his son’s name. By failing to report the bushels of grain sold in his son’s name, Defendant received insurance indemnities to which he was not entitled.This matter was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Local Man Convicted of Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On November 6, 2018, following a two-day trial, a jury found Ryan Nicholas Haynes, age 28, of West Des Moines, Iowa, guilty of one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Stephanie Rose will be set at a later date.
Haynes was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on July 29, 2017. During trial, the government presented evidence that Haynes was present on a party bus that was stopped for a traffic violation in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Officers smelled marijuana coming from the bus, so they removed the passengers to investigate further. When Haynes was stepping off the bus, he removed marijuana from his pocket and handed it to one of the officers. A pat-down search of Haynes revealed a firearm in his pants. Before officers could recover the firearm, Haynes ran from them. After a short foot chase, officers apprehended Haynes near 16th Street and Grand Avenue. The firearm was recovered in a flowerbed outside a townhome in the 1600 block of Grand Avenue. This was right next to where Haynes had jumped a fence while running from officers. The firearm was loaded with 14 live rounds of ammunition. It was identified as a Glock, Model 22, .40 caliber handgun.
Haynes is in federal custody pending imposition of sentence. Felon in possession of a firearm is punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs Man Arrested for Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On November 6, 2018, Richard John Massey, age 68, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was arrested by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on charges of sex trafficking of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor, and traveling in interstate commerce to facilitate prostitution, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum and FBI Special Agent In Charge Randall C. Thysse. The arrest followed an indictment on these charges returned by a federal grand jury sitting in the Southern District of Iowa on October 30, 2018. These offenses are alleged to have occurred between October 2017 and April 26, 2018.
Massey was arrested at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport as he entered the United States on a flight originating from Mexico. On November 7, 2018, Massey made an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in Dallas, Texas, and was ordered to appear in the Southern District of Iowa on a subsequent date. Massey remains in custody pending proceedings in the Southern District of Iowa.
The public is reminded that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless he is proven guilty.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Council Bluffs Police Department, and the Omaha Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Riverton Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Carol S. Jennings, age 57, of Riverton, pleaded guilty on November 1, 2018, to Bank Fraud, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. In the plea agreement, Jennings admitted that while employed as the clerk for the City of Riverton, she opened an account with a local bank by providing a falsified document. Jennings also admitted to depositing city funds into the account and converting almost the entire balance for her own personal use.
A sentencing date of February 20, 2019 has been scheduled. Jennings faces a possible maximum sentence of not more than thirty years imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, up to five years of supervised release following release from imprisonment, a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and restitution.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Etcher Family Farms, LLC, Owner, and Employee Plead Guilty to Clean Water Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Etcher Family Farms, LLC; owner Scott Allen Etcher; and Etcher Farms’ employee Benjamin Allen McFarland, pleaded guilty on October 25, 2018, to criminal violations of the Clean Water Act, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.
All Defendants pleaded guilty to a United States Attorney Information. Etcher Family Farms, LLC, pleaded guilty to knowing discharge of a pollutant from a point source into a water of the United States without a permit, in violation of Title 33, United States Code §§ 1311(a) and 1319(c)(2)(A). Scott Etcher and McFarland pleaded guilty to negligent discharge of a pollutant from a point source into a water of the United States without a permit, in violation of Title 33, United States Code §§ 1311(a) and 1319(c)(1)(A). This investigation was undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigations as a result of information provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and witnesses who observed the acts. The Information alleged that employees of Etcher Family Farms, LLC, illegally disposed of liquid manure into waters of the United States via a drainage tile system. The investigation revealed that employees of Etcher Farms discharged liquid manure via a hose attached to a lawn tractor next to and upon tile intakes, which discharged directly into an adjacent creek (waters of the United States). IDNR documented the illegal acts and collected samples to verify such impact to jurisdictional waters.
“When illegally discharged into streams and rivers, animal wastes can result in environmental and human health risks, such as water quality impairment, fish kills, algal blooms, and contamination of drinking water sources,” said EPA Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Martinez. “The guilty pleas demonstrate that EPA and our law enforcement partners will hold accountable those who violate laws designed to protect the environment and our communities.”
“The plea agreement requires Etcher Family Farms, LLC, to institute a robust program to ensure they comply with federal law,” stated U.S. Attorney Krickbaum. “Our office will continue to aggressively enforce these important environmental laws to protect our waterways from pollution.”
Etcher Family Farms, LLC, Scott Etcher, and McFarland are scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose on February 26, 2019, at 1 p.m.
This matter was investigated by the EPA-Criminal Investigation and the IDNR. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - On October 24, 2018, Christopher Coleman, age 34, of Omaha, Neb., appeared before United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner and was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment for a felon in possession of a firearm charge announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Coleman was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
Coleman pleaded guilty to the charge on May 24, 2018. On December 14, 2017, Harrah’s Casino Security in Council Bluffs responded to an SUV that was stopped on a roadway on casino property. Agents approached the SUV and found it was occupied by two individuals, Coleman and a female juvenile. It was determined the juvenile had been reported as a runaway from Omaha, resulting in her being taken into protective custody. The juvenile advised law enforcement there was a handgun in the SUV and Coleman had hidden it before the officers arrived. A routine criminal history check confirmed Coleman was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on a 2013 felony conviction. Law enforcement re-contacted Coleman and located a HiPoint 9 mm handgun in the SUV.
This case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Iowa State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Former Youth Basketball Coach Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children, Possession and Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – Gregory Scott Stephen, age 42, of Monticello, Iowa, pleaded guilty on October 18, 2018, to five counts of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of transportation of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. This case is being prosecuted by Southern District of Iowa Assistant United States Attorneys Clifford Cronk and Amy Jennings, who have been designated as Special Assistant United States Attorneys, based on the recusal of the Northern District of Iowa United States Attorney’s Office.
Stephen’s sentencing date has yet to be scheduled before United States Northern District of Iowa Judge C.J. Williams. Stephen entered his guilty pleas pursuant to a conditional plea agreement, which permits Stephen to seek appellate review of the District Court’s October 4, 2018, Order denying Stephen’s motion to suppress evidence. Stephen pleaded guilty to all of the charges filed against him, and no charges were dismissed as part of plea agreement.
Stephen is the former co-director of Barnstormers Basketball of Iowa. The Barnstormers operate youth basketball teams for athletes between fourth and twelfth grades. In addition to his administrative duties, Stephen also coached Barnstormer players.
Stephen admitted in the plea agreement that he posed online as three different minor females and persuaded, induced, and enticed minor boys to send Stephen sexually explicit images of themselves. Specifically, while posing online as a teenaged female, Stephen contacted minor males, offered to exchange nude images with the minor males, and suggested the type of sexually explicit images the minor males should produce. Unbeknownst to the minor males, Stephen used a software application to record live transmissions made by the minor boys.
Stephen admitted in the plea agreement that he traveled with one minor male, aged 11 or 12 at the time, to basketball tournaments and games, and hosted the minor male at Stephen’s lake house in Delhi, Iowa. Stephen admitted he produced a visual depiction that shows Stephen with his mouth on or near the minor male’s genitals while Stephen touched the minor male’s genitals with his hand. That visual depiction was located by investigators on a hard drive possessed by Stephen.
Stephen admitted in the plea agreement he possessed on a hard drive approximately 400 file folders with titles in the last and then first names of different minor males. All of the folders contained visual depictions of nude minor males displaying their genitalia, and some depictions involved masturbation by the minor males. The visual depictions fell into three different genre: (1) nude minor males secretly recorded in various bathrooms; (2) still images and videos of minor males taken by the minors themselves and depicting the minors masturbating and/or displaying their genitalia – these minors were persuaded, induced, or enticed by Stephen to produce these visual depictions; and (3) visual depictions produced by Stephen of minor males unconscious with their pants pulled down and exposed. In some of the depictions in the third category, Stephen recorded himself touching the genitals of unconscious victims. Some of the file folders have only one category of visual depictions, while some have all three.
Stephen admitted in the plea agreement he used a hidden camera device to secretly record several nude boys in hotel rooms in Ankeny and Illinois. Stephen placed the recording device in hotel bathrooms pointed toward the shower area, so that it recorded minor males coming in and out of the shower. None of the minor males were aware they were being recorded.
Sexual exploitation of a child is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment. Possession of child pornography is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. Transportation of child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. The sentences for each count could be ordered to run consecutively, meaning one after another, or concurrently, meaning at the same time. The maximum sentence Stephen could be ordered to serve is 180 years imprisonment. By statute, Stephen cannot receive a sentence less than 15 years imprisonment.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this matter. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 108 Months in Prison for Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, Jamin C. Fletcher, age 35, of Council Bluffs, appeared before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger and was sentenced to 108 months in prison for distribution and receipt of child pornography announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Fletcher was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and serve ten years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
On April 20, 2018, a jury found Fletcher guilty of Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography. The charges were the result of an FBI investigation on BitTorrent, a file sharing program used on the Internet. FBI downloaded child pornography from a shared folder on BitTorent that identified an IP address subscribed to Jamin Fletcher of Council Bluffs. A search warrant was served on Fletcher’s residence where agents located a desktop computer, laptop computer, and cell phone that contained images of child pornography.
The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Des Moines Sex Trafficking Defendants Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – Seven defendants charged with sex trafficking and related offenses pleaded guilty during the month of September announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in January and February 2019 before United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey.
According to court documents, Darren O. Coleman, age 29, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking Victim 4 (“V4”) by force, fraud, or coercion. Sarina Ann Williams, age 26, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of V4. Coleman admitted he recruited V4 in late June of 2017, and sent V4 to Williams, who was in South Dakota at the time. Williams, at Coleman’s direction, advertised V4 on online escort websites for the purposes of prostitution; harbored V4 in hotel rooms that served out of state customers; and arranged for V4 to engage in commercial sex acts. Coleman admitted he knew V4 was engaging in commercial sex acts as a result of force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion. Coleman monitored V4’s contact and interactions with family and friends. He also verbally threatened V4 and others, to intimidate V4. Coleman admitted he fraudulently promised V4 substantial money and things of value of which V4 never received.
Coleman also pleaded guilty to coercing and enticing Victim 1 (“V1”) to cross a state line for purposes of prostitution. Stephen Kalu Cobb, age 27, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking V1 by force, fraud, or coercion. Sarina Williams pleaded guilty to transporting V1 across a state line for purposes of prostitution. According to Cobb’s plea agreement, Coleman threatened V1 with physical violence in March 2017 after V1 found and disposed of a firearm Coleman had purchased. V1 then engaged in commercial sex acts due to threats of violence from Coleman. Cobb also physically assaulted V1, threatened her with violence, and verbally demeaned and insulted V1 to cause V1 to engage in commercial sex acts. Cobb transported V1 to different locations in Des Moines to engage in commercial sex acts, and received money from those sex acts. Cobb admitted to splitting the money he obtained from the trafficking of V1 with Coleman and Mark Phillip Carter II, as they arranged for the commercial sex acts and communicated the places and locations for the commercial sex acts to Cobb. Mark Phillip Carter II, age 26, admitted to advertising V1 on online escort websites, in addition to other individuals.
Carter entered a plea of guilty to sex trafficking a minor. According to the plea document, between May and July 2017, Carter recruited and enticed a minor victim to engage in commercial sex acts. He advertised the minor—who was 16 years old at the time—on online escort websites, and transported the minor to motels and other locations in the Southern District of Iowa, knowing the minor victim would engage in commercial sex acts at those locations. Carter received money from those sex acts. Furthermore, Cater admitted to possessing a firearm in July 2017, and the minor victim knew he had a firearm. Carter also admitted to advertising two additional individuals, Victim 2 and Victim 3 (“V3”), on online escort websites for the purpose of prostitution. Carter additionally was charged with conspiring with three other individuals to commit the crime of sex trafficking V3; according to his plea agreement, that charge and others will be dismissed at the time of sentencing.
Julyen Xavier Singleton, age 21, admitted to using a facility of interstate commerce—in this case, Facebook—to promote prostitution. Singleton admitted that, in late June 2017, he contacted V3 on Facebook and solicited V3 to come to Des Moines to engage in prostitution. He then provided V3 to another individual for the purpose of advertising V3 on online escort websites, arranging for V3 to engage in commercial sex acts, and transporting V3 to commercial sex acts. Singleton thereafter received proceeds from those sex acts.
Ronzell Montez Williams, age 26, and Breeanna Lynae Brown, age 26, entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking V3 by force, fraud, or coercion. According to their plea agreements, Carter left V3 with Ronzell Williams in late June 2017. Brown then obtained V3 and took her to her home. Both Brown and Williams transported V3 to engage in commercial sex acts. Williams admitted Brown told V3 she could perform commercial sex acts as a way to get enough money to leave Des Moines in order to fraudulently induce V3 to continue to perform commercial sex acts for Brown’s financial benefit.
Coleman and Cobb are subject to a fifteen-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for sex trafficking up to life imprisonment. Carter is subject to a ten-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for sex trafficking a minor, up to life imprisonment. Sarina Williams, Ronzell Williams, and Brown, for their pleas to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, are subject to a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Singleton is subject to up to five years in prison for using a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution.
This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department, Vice and Narcotics Control Section. Analytical support was provided by the Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Department of Public Safety, as well as the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center. The Polk County Attorney’s Office assisted with the prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Riverton Woman Charged with Bank FraudRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On August 28, 2018, a federal grand jury charged Carol S. Jennings, age 57, of Riverton, with Bank Fraud, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. The Indictment alleges that Jennings, while employed as the clerk for the City of Riverton, opened two accounts with a local bank by providing falsified documents in April 2014. From April 2014 until February 2015, Jennings allegedly deposited city funds into these accounts and then converted almost the entire balance for her own personal use.
The defendant appeared in United States District Court on September 20, 2018, where she pleaded not guilty to the charge. Jennings has a trial date scheduled for November 5, 2018, before United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose at the Council Bluffs Federal Courthouse.
The public is reminded that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Altoona Woman Charged with Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On August 28, 2018, a federal grand jury charged Leesa Marie Parkhill-Nieland, age 47, of Altoona, with Social Security fraud, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Parkhill-Nieland is charged with theft of government funds, Social Security fraud, and making a false statement to the Social Security Administration. Parkhill-Nieland is alleged to have received Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits from about December 2012 until about April 2018. According to the Indictment, during this time, Parkhill-Nieland was self-employed through two different businesses, Pine Hollow Stables and Coat of Many Colors. Parkhill-Nieland is alleged to have concealed and failed to disclose that employment from the Social Security Administration in order to continue to receive payments.
The defendant appeared in United States District Court in Des Moines on September 14, 2018. The public is reminded that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless she is proven guilty.
This matter is being investigated by the Social Security Administration—Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Urbandale Man Convicted of Transporting and Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On September 5, 2018, following a two-day trial, a jury found Nedzad Juhic, age 46, of Urbandale, Iowa, guilty of receipt of child pornography and transportation of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Sentencing will be at a later date before United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose. Juhic was ordered detained pending sentencing.
According to evidence at trial, in June 2015, a law enforcement investigation discovered an unknown person who made available for download fifty-two child pornography files via the Internet. This activity was traced to Juhic’s residence in Urbandale, Iowa. After a search warrant at the residence, Juhic agreed to turn over a laptop computer to law enforcement officers, and a forensic examination of this laptop found over 1,500 videos of child pornography, saved in his personal user directory.
Both receipt and transportation of child pornography carry a potential sentence of between five and twenty years in prison, five years to life of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims Fund. Also, Juhic will be required to forfeit his laptop, and may be ordered to pay restitution. He will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Homeland Security Investigations, and assisted by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, the Urbandale Police Department, the Pleasant Hill Police Department, and the Perry Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children.
Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.
Council Bluffs Woman Sentenced to 140 Months in Prison for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On September 5, 2018, Paige Elizabeth Thurman, age 29, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 140 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Thurman was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow her prison term.
Thurman pleaded guilty to the charges on April 5, 2018. She admitted she possessed $6,100, a Colt .380 Mustang semi-automatic handgun, digital scale, ammunition, plastic baggies, knife, stun gun, and 140.5 grams of methamphetamine on her person and in the vehicle she was driving on September 8, 2017, after leading law enforcement on a high speed chase in Council Bluffs. Thurman admitted she possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and she possessed the handgun to assist in the distribution of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department and Council Bluffs Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Sentencings Completed in Nineteen-Defendant Des Moines Drug and Firearms Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On August 24, 2018, sentencings were completed in the federal prosecution of nineteen defendants charged with methamphetamine trafficking and firearms offenses, stemming from the investigation of a multi-state drug trafficking organization announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Investigation of the methamphetamine and firearms trafficking organization began in April 2017, following the arrest of Shannon Paxton, age 47, on a violation of his federal supervised release. While Paxton was in custody at the Polk County Jail, he utilized the jail phone system to continue to operate his organization, directing the sale of methamphetamine, storage and movement of firearms, and collection of drug proceeds. Paxton also maintained contact with Fidel Rios, Jr., age 35, his methamphetamine source of supply in Pasco, Washington. Rios and Paxton met while incarcerated together in federal prison – Paxton was incarcerated for a 2013 conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon, and Rios was incarcerated for a 2013 conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The investigation culminated in the execution of 25 federal search warrants in Iowa and Washington in June 2017. In total, the organization was responsible for the distribution of over 300 pounds of methamphetamine in the Southern District of Iowa between January and June 2017; and nearly forty firearms were seized as result of the investigation. All defendants charged pleaded guilty and all defendants were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose, with the exception of Casey Lee Hildebrand, who was sentenced by United States District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.
• Shannon Lee Paxton, 47, of Des Moines, sentenced to a total term of imprisonment of 390 months
• Fidel Rios, Jr., 35, of Pasco, Washington, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 306 months
• Stacy Lynn Comstock, 45, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 240 months
• Kerry Drew Haegele, 48, of Des Moines, sentenced to a total term of imprisonment of 204 months
• Kira Leanne Fallis, 27, of Elkhart, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 144 months
• Misty Marie Langrehr, 24, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 120 months
• Steven Lee Hooper, 47, of Maxwell, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 151 months
• Kenneth Edward Williams, 54, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 204 months
• James Oren Phillips, 40, of Centerville, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 78 months
• John Thomas Archer, 53, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 72 months
• Charles Astley, 64, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 48 months
• Marti Rai Miller, 52, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 160 months
• Marty Lee Belew, 52, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 72 months
• Charles Garrett Nielsen, 54, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 144 months
• Cary Mark Hollingsworth, 41, of Grimes, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 114 months
• Richard Jason Martin, 42, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 132 months• Kendall Edward Barrett, 39, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 72 months
• Christina Marie Wright, 31, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 120 months
• Casey Lee Hildebrand, 39, of Des Moines, sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 188 months
This investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the significant assistance of numerous state and local agencies, including the Iowa State Patrol, Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and the Central Iowa Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Des Moines Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
Roman Deon Hellems, Jr. sentenced to 96 months for felon in possession of a firearm
DES MOINES, Iowa – On August 24, 2018, Roman Deon Hellems, Jr., age 23, of Des Moines, appeared before United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose and was sentenced to 96 months in prison for a felon in possession of a firearm charge announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Hellems was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Hellems, a prior drug felon, was out of custody, on bond, for multiple counts of weapons possession, burglary, and criminal gang participation when members of the Des Moines Police Department encountered him during an October 7, 2017, traffic stop. Hellems was found in possession of a loaded and stolen Glock 26 9mm handgun. When law enforcement attempted to arrest Hellems, he fought the officers. Ultimately, it took three officers, two Taser deployments, and pepper spray to detain him. During the struggle with Hellems, the magazine to an officer’s firearm was dislodged and was later found where Hellems had assaulted him.
When pronouncing judgment, the District Court commended the Des Moines Police Officers for their professionalism and the restraint the officers demonstrated in safely arresting Hellems, despite his efforts to assault them. “The Des Moines Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation have been great partners in addressing violent crime in the Southern District of Iowa,” stated United States Attorney Krickbaum. “The Defendant and other felons who carry guns should understand: if you illegally possess a gun on the streets of Des Moines you will face real consequences and real punishment, including significant prison time.”
This investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Former Student Sentenced for Causing Damage to University of Iowa Computer NetworkRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA-- On August 23, 2018, Trevor J. Graves, age 23, a former University of Iowa student, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to four months in prison after pleading guilty to unauthorized access and damage to the University of Iowa college computer network, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Graves was ordered to serve two years of supervised release, pay $67,900 in restitution, and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Graves pleaded guilty in April 2018.
Graves admitted he knew from May 2015 to November 15, 2016, the University of Iowa Iowa Courses Online (ICON) computer network was a protected computer. During this time period, Graves knowingly and intentionally placed a key logger on University of Iowa computers and fraudulently obtained professors’ user names and passwords, accessed the ICON computer network, and deleted and changed student grades. Specifically, Graves accessed the ICON system and, without authorization, changed course grades for himself and five other students. The University of Iowa’s information technology costs associated with their internal investigation, response to the discovery of the network breach, and remedial steps taken to update the University of Iowa information technology security was approximately $67,900.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, University of Iowa Department of Public Safety, and University of Iowa, Information Services Technology division. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On August 10, 2018, Terry Hannan, age 39, of Council Bluffs was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge Robert W. Pratt to 63 months in prison for a felon in possession of a firearm charge announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Hannan was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
Hannan pleaded guilty to the offense on March 13, 2018. On December 29, 2017, the Council Bluffs Police and Fire Departments responded to a fire at Hannan’s home. Officers entered the house and observed ammunition and a gun safe, but did not locate anyone in the residence. As the fire inspector investigated the cause of the fire, Hannan was seen in a car near the home. The car left abruptly when the fire inspector approached Hannan, and a short pursuit ensued. When the vehicle was stopped, Hannan was found in possession of a loaded Taurus Titanium .38 revolver.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was investigated by Council Bluffs Police Department, Council Bluffs Fire Department, and The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Central Iowa Insurance Agent Convicted of Defrauding ClientsRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On August 9, 2018, following a four-day trial, a jury found Roger Duane Goodwin, age 59, of Windsor Heights, guilty of seven counts of mail fraud announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. The jury also determined Goodwin’s residence in Windsor Heights and two Harley Davidson motorcycles are subject to forfeiture
During trial, the government presented evidence Goodwin owned and operated “Goodwin Network of Advisors, Inc.” which was also referred to as “Goodwin Network”, “GN of A”, and “GNA Corp.” and sold life insurance and annuities to individuals in the Des Moines and Houston, Texas areas. From February 2013 through August 2016, Goodwin advised several of his clients to surrender or cash out existing investments—totaling over $1 million—in order to use those funds to purchase insurance products from him. Instead of purchasing insurance policies or annuity contracts for the clients as promised, Goodwin deposited the clients’ checks into a bank account associated with Goodwin Network of Advisors – which only Goodwin and his spouse could access.
“The evidence showed the defendant preyed on older and vulnerable victims, and he used their hard-earned savings to line his own pockets and fund his lavish lifestyle,” said United States Attorney Krickbaum. “Those like Goodwin who prey upon older individuals should know that we will hold them accountable.”
Goodwin kept all or large portions of the funds and used the money for unauthorized purposes that were not for the benefit of the affected clients. Goodwin used his clients’ money, unbeknownst to them, for his personal expenses including paying his mortgage, making vehicle payments, remodeling his residence, and other lavish personal expenditures. He also used client funds to repay other clients of Goodwin’s and to make payments to the insurance companies for the benefit of clients whose money Goodwin had failed to earlier send to the insurance company.
Mail fraud is punishable by a maximum prison term of twenty years and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each count. Sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs, Iowa Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On August 3, 2018, the Honorable Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Dale Volney Freeman, 45, of Council Bluffs to 120 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Freeman was also ordered to serve seven years of supervised release following his imprisonment and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
Dale Freeman pled guilty to the charge on March 23, 2018. This case arose from officers being called to a local motel for a disturbance involving a man with a gun trying to break into a room. When officers arrived they determined that an unknown male had been trying to get into a room which had been rented by Freeman. Officers then found methamphetamine in Freeman’s motel room. Freeman was located in another room where he had over 250 grams of pure methamphetamine. Freeman was also carrying approximately $1,600 cash.
This matter was investigated by Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation Lab. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Colorado Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud or CoercionRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On August 1, 2018, following a three-day trial, a jury found Antoinne Lee Washington, 33, guilty of one count of sex trafficking of an adult by force, fraud, or coercion, and one count of transportation for prostitution. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 5, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., before United States District Court Judge Stephanie Rose.
Washington was charged with sex trafficking of an adult by force, fraud, or coercion, from May through September 2017. During trial, the government presented evidence that Washington had a relationship with the victim for several years, during which time the victim engaged in commercial sex acts for Washington’s financial benefit. Washington coerced the victim into engaging in sex acts by imposing a series of rules upon the victim, such as calling him “Daddy”. The evidence showed Washington also required the victim to turn over to him the proceeds from sex acts, and that he prohibited her from looking at African American males. Washington enforced these rules through threats of physical force and assaults on the victim, to include beating and burning the victim.
From May through September 2017, Washington transported the victim through several states so that she would engage in commercial sex acts for his benefit, ultimately arriving at a hotel in Urbandale, Iowa, on September 20, 2017. That evening, after the Defendant had physically assaulted her, the victim called the hotel desk and asked them to contact law enforcement. The Urbandale Police Department responded to the call, which initially came to them as a domestic assault complaint. After observing the victim and several items in the hotel room, including personal journals and hotel receipts, the Urbandale Police Department suspected sex trafficking, and notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Sex trafficking of an adult by force, fraud, or coercion is punishable by a minimum of fifteen years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment. Transportation for prostitution is punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment.
Human trafficking is defined as a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Urbandale Police Department, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Coralville Attorney Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud and False ClaimsRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA-- On July 30, 2018, Soo Hyun Jung, also known as Jay Jung, age 46, from Coralville, Iowa, pled guilty to two counts of Mail Fraud and one count of False Claims to a Government Agency, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Each mail fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of not more than (20) twenty years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than (3) three years, and a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims Fund. The false claims charge carries a potential penalty of up to (5) five years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than (3) three years, and a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims Fund. Jung also agreed to forfeit a 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe, and pay restitution in the amount of $618,021.51. Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2018.
During a time period including 2014-2016, Jung represented clients as an attorney and tax preparer. As part of his plea, Jung admitted that in 2014, he agreed to represent a client to prepare tax returns. Jung filed tax returns and requested refunds. In July 2015, Jung contacted IRS to check on the status of these returns. During this contact, Jung updated the client’s home address on file with the IRS to Jung’s business address in Coralville. As a result, in October 2015, three United States Treasury refund checks totaling $202,179 were received by Jung. Jung forged an endorsement on these checks and, in a series of transfers, caused these funds to be deposited into his personal bank account. Jung used $83,200 of these funds in November 2015 to purchase a 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe.
In August 2015, Jung filed additional tax returns without the consent of the client. These additional returns contained information that was not accurate and requested refunds. These returns included a 2013 return submitted to the United States Department of Treasury on August 22, 2015, that falsely claimed a refund of $15,252.
In May 2016, in relation to a different client, Jung caused an investment fund to be cashed out and a $200,000 check mailed to Jung in Coralville, Iowa. Jung later caused these funds to be deposited into his personal bank account.
This case was being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division.
Redfield Man Sentenced to 210 Months in Prison for Drug, Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – David James Lister, age 53, formerly of Redfield, Iowa, was sentenced on July 26, 2018, by United States District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 210 months in prison for charges related to the possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and the unlawful possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.
In August of 2016, law enforcement made two undercover purchases of methamphetamine from David Lister at his apartment in Redfield, Iowa. A search warrant was executed at the residence on August 23, 2016, where approximately 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine was discovered in Lister’s safe. Also seized from the safe was over $2,000 in currency, which Lister has admitted came from the sale of methamphetamine. Lister consented to search of a nearby storage facility, which resulted in the seizure of numerous firearms. Lister acknowledged being a multi-pound methamphetamine dealer, indicating that he typically would purchase 2 pounds of meth for $20,000 from his supplier every two weeks, and then distribute the drugs to 12 to 15 customers in the Redfield area. Lister also stated that the firearms in the storage unit were received in trade for methamphetamine.
This matter was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Honey Creek Man Sentenced to Prison for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On July 13, 2018, Jack Douglas Sprouse, age 67, of Honey Creek, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 15 months in prison for Bank Fraud, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Sprouse was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay restitution in an amount of $236,023.54.
According to the plea agreement, Sprouse was the owner of Business Security Software Systems. Beginning at least as early as January 2013, until May of 2016, Sprouse, on behalf of the company, submitted false information to First National Bank of Omaha to ensure the continued distribution of money from a business loan to the company.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Davenport Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa - On July 12, 2018, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Raymone Deshawn Walker, Sr., age 21, of Davenport, to 50 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Walker was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment, pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and forfeit the firearm and ammunition seized.
At a March 1, 2018, plea hearing, Walker admitted on May 10, 2017, he and a minor male were involved in two shots fired incidents – one in Davenport and one in Rock Island. Walker was later encountered at a residence where Davenport Police officers recovered a Phoenix Arms .22 caliber handgun and ammunition. The officers also seized an open box of .22 caliber ammunition in the glovebox of the vehicle Walker occupied earlier that evening.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime
This matter was investigated by the Davenport Police Department and Illinois State Police, Division of Forensic Services. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Davenport Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa-- On July 12, 2018, Anthony Dwayne Clay, age 42, of Davenport, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 84 months in prison following his guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm, according to United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Clay was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Additionally, the firearm was forfeited.
On July 20, 2017, Davenport Police officers responded to a reported disturbance at a residence. As part of this investigation, Clay was found in unlawful possession of a Ruger .380 caliber firearm and ammunition. Prior to July 20, 2017, Clay had four prior felony convictions.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime
This investigation was conducted by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Davenport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Wapello Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – On July 9, 2018, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger, sentenced Jack Lee Coleman, age 65, of Wapello, Iowa, to 360 months in prison for production of child pornography announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Coleman was ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment, pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and comply with the sex offender registry requirements upon release.
On February 2, 2018, Coleman pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. The investigation began in 2016 when a minor victim disclosed being sexually abused by Coleman. During the investigation, a computer belonging to Coleman was seized and examined. That computer contained nude images of five minor children produced by a hidden camera placed in the bathroom by Coleman. The computer also contained child pornography images of another minor child.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Former Des Moines Pharmacy Technician Sentenced for Illegally Tampering with FentanylRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On July 10, 2018, Victor Van Cleave, age 30, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 30 months in prison for tampering with consumer products, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Van Cleave was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
According to the plea agreement entered on February 26, 2018, between September 7, 2016 and October 2, 2016, Van Cleave was employed as a pharmacy technician at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. During that time, Van Cleave had access to fentanyl—a Schedule II controlled substance—that was stored at the hospital for administration to hospital patients. Van Cleave tampered with the hospital’s fentanyl and fentanyl vials during the course of his employment. Specifically, Van Cleave inserted a syringe into multiple fentanyl vials, removed the fentanyl with that syringe, and injected the fentanyl into himself. Using a different syringe, Van Cleave then replaced the fentanyl he had removed from the vials with a different fluid. Van Cleave then placed the tampered vials back into storage at the hospital.
This investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Des Moines Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
David Marken Aikoriegie sentenced to 96 months for stealing firearms from area gun retailers
DES MOINES, Iowa – On June 27, 2018, David Marken Aikoriegie, age 23, of Des Moines, appeared before United States District Court Senior Judge Robert W. Pratt and was sentenced to 96 months in prison for three counts of stealing a firearm from a federal firearm licensee and unlawful sale of a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Aikoriegie was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
According to court documents, Aikoriegie admitted he stole three firearms from JLM Gun Shoppe in Urbandale on November 16, 2017; ten firearms from Rangemasters in Clive on December 2, 2017; and eleven firearms from Rangemasters on December 14, 2017. He also admitted to selling one of those stolen firearms to another person on December 16, 2017.
This investigation was conducted by the Clive Police Department; United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Des Moines Police Department; and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Davenport Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
Larry Lazell Bolden admitted to distributing heroin involved in overdose deaths
DAVENPORT, IA – On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, Larry Lazell Bolden, age 50, of Davenport, appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson, Jr. and pleaded guilty to Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.
According to the plea agreement, Bolden admitted to distributing heroin to a confidential informant beginning in December 2016. Bolden also admitted to distributing heroin in January 2017 to an individual at a hotel in Davenport. That individual supplied the heroin to a friend, who died shortly after ingesting the substance. Lab results confirmed the substance contained fentanyl. Bolden admitted several days after the overdose death, he distributed heroin to an another individual at the same hotel. That person died shortly after ingesting the substance.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 23, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. before United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose. Bolden faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and a maximum fine of $2,000,000.
This matter was investigated by the Davenport, Rock Island, and Moline Police Departments. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Inmates Sentenced for Contraband in Pottawattamie County JailRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - On June 20, 2018, Deandre Eugene Cooper, age 35, and Charles Jesse Beuterbaugh, age 30, were sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner for Possession of Contraband by a Federal Prisoner announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Cooper was sentenced to 100 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Beuterbaugh was sentenced to serve eight months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Their sentences were each ordered to be served consecutively with sentences they previously received in other matters prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa and the District of Nebraska.
Cooper and Beuterbaugh, along with other co-defendants, while incarcerated at the Pottawattamie County Jail, distributed K-2, a synthetic cannabinoid. On May 17, 2017, staff seized the substance from co-defendant Ivan Cervantes’ cell with the use of a drug detecting dog. Lab reports confirmed the substance found hidden in Cervantes’ cell was a synthetic cannabinoid. Further investigation revealed Cooper and Beuterbaugh had distributed K-2 to other inmates.
This case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa
Des Moines Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa-- On June 21, 2018, Timothy Ray Kain, age 30, of Des Moines, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 210 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Kain was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
Kain pleaded guilty to the charges on February 6, 2018, and admitted to conspiring with others to distribute in excess of five kilograms of pure methamphetamine and he possessed a firearm during his drug trafficking activities.
This investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Carter Lake Woman Sentenced in Fentanyl Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
Amalia Pandis sentenced for role in drug-related overdoses
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – On June 20, 2018, Amalia Pandis, age 24, of Carter Lake, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner for Conspiracy to Distribute a Fentanyl Analogue that caused death or serious bodily injury, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.
Pandis was part of a drug trafficking organization responsible for receiving and distributing fentanyl analogues obtained from a source in China to individuals in Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. The investigation began on June 28, 2015, when law enforcement officers were called to a Carter Lake residence regarding an unresponsive male. Law enforcement found the body of a 20-year old deceased male at the home. Law enforcement also discovered a second male had been transported to a local hospital, and placed on life support, from the same location prior to law enforcement’s arrival.
Subsequent investigation revealed Pandis’ co-defendant Charles Beuterbaugh provided acetyl fentanyl to both victims, which was determined to be the cause of death and the reason for the hospitalization. Beuterbaugh had obtained the acetyl fentanyl from Pandis. She obtained the acetyl fentanyl through an organization that began distributing fentanyl, or an analogue of fentanyl, in November of 2014 and continued to distribute into April of 2016.
All members involved in the distribution of the acetyl fentanyl entered guilty pleas. On August 23, 2017, Senior Judge Gritzner sentenced Michael David Redmond, Jr. to 120 months in prison. On October 26, 2017, Dustin C. Sullivan was sentenced to 162 months inprisonment and Cody Jay Lanus was sentenced to 144 months. Charles J. Beuterbaugh was sentenced November 7, 2017, to 240 months in prison, and Walter J. O’Donohue was sentenced February 28, 2018 to 180 months imprisonment.
This investigation was conducted by the Carter Lake Police Department, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Omaha Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement, United States Postal Inspection Service and United States Drug Enforcement Administration-Nebraska. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Iowa City Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Alexander Ruben Alvarado, age 21, of Iowa City, to 36 months in prison for unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Alvarado was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
On February 7, 2018, Alvarado pleaded guilty to the charge, which arose from an investigation conducted by the Iowa City Police Department. Alvarado admitted between July 4, 2017, and July 11, 2017, he was responsible for shooting at random vehicles and apartment complexes in the Iowa City area. The shooting was done from Alvarado’s second story apartment complex. Damage occurred to several vehicles in the area, as well as two residences. On July 11, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Alvarado’s residence. There, three firearms, one of which was stolen, over 30 rounds of ammunition, over 20 grams of marijuana, and dozens of miscellaneous pills, including OxyContin and Xanax were located.
This matter was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department, the Johnson County Drug Task Force and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Davenport Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MarijuanaRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa - On June 11, 2018, Shawn Michael Manning, age 45, of Davenport, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 63 months in prison for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Manning was ordered to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence and to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
On February 6, 2018, Manning pleaded guilty to the offense and admitted beginning on or about November 1, 2016, and continuing through December 26, 2016, he and other individuals reached an agreement to manufacture marijuana in a warehouse located in the 900 block of South Rolff Street in Davenport. The charge was the result of an investigation which began when Davenport Police received a tip that Manning and others were operating a marijuana grow operation at that warehouse location. On December 29, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant and discovered a portion of the warehouse had been walled off. Officers discovered in excess of 500 marijuana plants, marijuana derivative products and materials to assist in the manufacture and packaging for sale of the marijuana.
This matter was investigated by the Davenport Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Seven Des Moines Individuals Charged with Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On March 28, 2018, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment charging seven defendants with sex trafficking announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Six defendants were arrested and appeared in federal court in Des Moines. The remaining defendant was arrested on June 8, 2018, in Texas. Trial is scheduled for October 15, 2018, before United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey.
According to the Indictment, in the Spring and Summer of 2017, the defendants trafficked three adult victims. Darren Coleman, Sarina Williams, Mark Carter, and Stephen Cobb are alleged to have conspired with one another, and actually engaged in, sex trafficking of a victim by force, fraud, and coercion. Coleman and Cobb are further alleged to have used a firearm in the course of trafficking the victim. Coleman and Sarina Williams are charged with additional offenses relating to the travel of the victim across state lines for the purposes of prostitution.
Mark Carter, Julyen Singleton, Ronzell Williams, and Breanna Brown are charged in the same Indictment with conspiring with one another to traffic, and to have actually trafficked, a separate victim by force, fraud, and coercion. Mark Carter is also charged with sex trafficking a third victim by force, fraud and coercion, and for using a firearm in the course of these offenses.
Each defendant is subject to a fifteen-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, up to life imprisonment. Conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking has no mandatory minimum prison sentence and has a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
The public is reminded that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless they are proven guilty.
Human trafficking is defined as a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department, Vice and Narcotics Control Section. Analytical support has been provided by the Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Department of Public Safety, as well as the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center. The Polk County Attorney’s Office also assisted with this prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Charge of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced that on Monday, June 4, 2018, 42 year-old Raymond Stark was sentenced by Chief District Court Judge John A. Jarvey for the charge of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Stark previously pleaded guilty plea to this charge on January 16, 2018. Stark was sentenced to 27 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, with the federal prison sentence to run consecutively to the sentence Stark is serving for charges in the Iowa District Court in Pottawattamie County.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was investigated by Council Bluffs Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
McClelland, Iowa Man Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa-- On May 11, 2018, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Michael Collins, age 49, of McClelland, to one year and one day of imprisonment for tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Collins was ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the amount of $70,274.14 and pay a fine of $34,770. Collins will serve a three year term of supervised release following his prison term.
Collins pleaded guilty to tax evasion on December 21, 2017. According to documents and information provided to the Court, Collins was part-owner of a real-estate development firm that earned significant income in 2006. As a result of his ownership in the company, Collins received approximately $289,000 in income that year, but did not report it on his individual income tax return. In 2008, the IRS contacted Collins regarding the unreported income and Collins filed an amended return reporting the income and reflecting a tax due of more than $100,000. However, Collins did not pay the tax liability.
From 2006 through the present, Collins also operated an excavating and trucking company that generated more than $5.5 million in gross receipts. To evade payment of his outstanding tax liability, Collins registered the business as well as its bank accounts in the name of nominees, used nominee entities to conceal over $5 million in gross receipts from the business, filed fraudulent corporate tax returns that listed nominees as the owners of the business and paid his personal expenses using the business’ unreported income. Collins also filed fraudulent documents with the IRS claiming to have no gross business receipts for the company and falsely told IRS employees that his only source of income was unemployment benefits. He admitted to causing a tax loss of more than $250,000.
This case was prosecuted by Department of Justice, Tax Division Trial Attorneys Matthew Hoffman and Lee Langston and was investigated by Special Agents of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.