Southern District of Iowa
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal Court Sentences Former Davenport Man on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA - On March 28, 2014, Matthew Scott Hiles, age 29, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 70 months imprisonment for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Hiles was ordered to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund. Hiles will also be required to register as a sex offender.
In April 2013, a Davenport, Iowa, police detective, and member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, conducted an online investigation and identified images of child pornography on a computer later identified to Hiles at his Davenport residence. As part of an April 26, 2013, search warrant this identified computer and computer equipment were seized from Hiles’s bedroom and determined by forensic examination to contain multiple child pornography images and videos. Hiles pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in November of 2013.
This case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force and the United States Secret Service Cyber-Crimes Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Malvern, Iowa, Resident Sentenced to 132 Months in Prison for Manufacturing Methamphetamine Next to A SchoolRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On March 25, 2014, Jesse R. Salmons-Rice, a 31 year-old resident of Malvern, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John Jarvey to 132 months in prison for manufacturing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Salmons-Rice was also ordered to serve eight years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment.
On September 4, 2013, Salmons-Rice pled guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of the real property of a school. The guilty plea was the result of an investigation by law enforcement into the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine in and around Mills County, Iowa. Salmons-Rice was found to have been manufacturing methamphetamine on or about November 6, 2012, in the loft of his garage which was located within twenty-eight feet of an elementary school in Malvern, Iowa.
The investigation was conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Aurora, Colorado, Resident Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Money Laundering and Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On March 25, 2014, Matthew Corey Cummings, a 31 year-old resident of Aurora, Colorado, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John Jarvey to 63 months in prison for money laundering and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Judge Jarvey also ordered Cummings to serve two years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.
On November 1, 2013, Cummings pled guilty to both charges as a result of an investigation being conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force into the distribution of controlled substances being distributed in Pottawattamie County from Colorado. Money from the sale of these controlled substances was being returned to Colorado through a bank account which was set up for that purpose. In addition, when arrested while transporting marijuana into Pottawattamie County, Cummings was found to have a handgun in his possession.
The investigation was conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Aurora Colorado Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Washington County Man Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On March 21, 2014, Kyle Joseph Boileau, age 27, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 48 months in prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Boileau was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
Beginning in during or about April 2012, and continuing until on or about December 5, 2012, Boileau conspired with others to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine in the Washington County, Iowa area. During this time period Boileau manufactured methamphetamine both for himself and several other persons. During this period other persons provided Boileau pseudoephedrine, or other materials necessary for methamphetamine manufacture, and he provided them a portion of the resultant methamphetamine he manufactured. On December 5, 2012, law enforcement approached a vehicle occupied by Boileau after it parked on the town square in Washington, Iowa. Boileau was in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine in the vehicle when it was approached. On that same date, police located a variety of items indicative of methamphetamine manufacture during a search of Boileau’s apartment residence in nearby Wayland, Iowa.
This case was investigated by the Washington-Louisa County Drug Task Force, the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Johnson County Drug Task Force, and the Muscatine County Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Suspect Charged in Clinton, Iowa Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On January 22, 2014, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Shane Roger Hoiland, age 21, with the February 25, 2013, bank robbery of the Clinton National Bank, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Hoiland made his initial appearance in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 13, 2014. He is being held in custody pending resolution of the case. Hoiland faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
As in all criminal cases, the indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Clinton, Iowa, Police Department, and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Any media inquiries should be directed to Kevin VanderSchel, First Assistant United States Attorney, at the contact number provided above.
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Federal Court Sentences Former Davenport Man on Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA- On March 7, 2014, Samuel Henderson III, age 61, formerly of Davenport, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 156 months imprisonment, after pleading guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Henderson was also ordered to serve fifteen years of supervised release and pay $200 towards the Crime Victims Fund. Henderson will also be required to register as a sex offender. Between June 14 and July 11, 2013, Henderson used a cellular phone to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a 14 year old female to engage in criminal sexual offenses. During this same time period, Henderson knowingly possessed images of child pornography on his cellular phone.
This case was being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service Cyber-Crimes Task Force, the Davenport Police Department and the Moline Police Department.
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Dallas Center Man Sentenced on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On February 21, 2014, Benjaman Shelabarger, a thirty-six-year-old former resident of Dallas Center, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge James E. Gritzner to 210 months in prison on child pornography charges, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Judge Gritzner also ordered Shelabarger to serve five years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment.
Shelabarger’s sentence was enhanced, in part, because he falsely testified during trial that a relative was responsible instead of the defendant, which the judge found constituted an obstruction of justice. Shelabager’s sentence was also enhanced because he had movies and images of very young children being sexually assaulted, used a computer, and had a large number of child pornography movies and images.
Shelabarger was originally charged in March 2013 with one count of illegally possessing child pornography, and was additionally charged with knowingly receiving child pornography when the indictment was superseded in October 2013. A jury unanimously convicted Shelabarger on both counts on November 6, 2013.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, a division of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Cyber Crime Unit, and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Civilian Navy Employee Charged with Stealing More Than $360,000 in Housing BenefitsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A civilian employee of the U.S. Navy posted at the Capodichino Navy Base near Naples, Italy, was arraigned yesterday in Norfolk, Va., for allegedly obtaining more than $360,000 in housing benefits that he was not entitled to receive.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.
Steven William Ashton, 41, was charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a grand jury in the Southern District of Iowa on Feb. 19, 2014. He is charged with theft of government funds for obtaining more than $360,000 in housing benefits, called Living Quarters Assistance (LQA), to which he was not entitled. He is also charged with presenting a falsified lease and making false statements in an effort to justify those benefits when confronted by a federal agent from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
According to court documents, from April 2004 to the present, Ashton has been employed by the Navy as the NATO and Host Nation Programs Manager for the regions of Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia, managing contracts and agreements among the Navy and other countries to support the United States’ military efforts. Because he lived off-base, he was entitled to an LQA allowance to reimburse him for his payments for rent and other housing expenses. But when he allegedly moved in with his future wife and stopped paying rent in November 2005, he continued receiving the rental subsidies even though he was no longer eligible for them. When confronted by an NCIS agent investigating the matter, Ashton allegedly forged a lease in 2013 with his father-in-law – who had died in 2007 – and provided the lease along with false explanations to the NCIS agent.
Ashton is also charged with creating and submitting to the U.S. Navy various fraudulent documents to obtain other benefits. According to the indictment, Ashton created false documents to obtain a Foreigners’ Permit of Stay from the Italian government that allowed him to travel in and out of Italy without a visa and to be tax exempt for wages earned in Italy. He also allegedly created false documents to obtain a Permanent Logistic Support letter that gave Ashton Navy benefits such as purchasing tax-free gas at a savings of more than 50 percent, and a Civilian Access Card that provided him free access to U.S. military facilities world-wide, including use of the tax-free military shopping facilities. In addition, Ashton used fraudulent U.S. Coast Guard documentation purporting to show that Ashton had the licenses needed to moor a boat at discounted rates in the Bay of Naples, which saved him more than $28,000 in mooring fees.
Ashton was arrested on the Navy base in Italy and flown to Norfolk for his initial appearance. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2014 in the Southern District of Iowa.
This case was investigated by the NCIS and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Director of Procurement Fraud Litigation Catherine Votaw of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford Cronk of the Southern District of Iowa.
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Former Newton, Iowa Doctor Pleads Guilty of Health Care Fraud and Illegal Distribution of Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, Nicholas A. Klinefeldt, announces that Lafayette James Twyner, Jr., age 64, a former doctor in Newton, Iowa, pleaded guilty in United States District Court on February 21, 2014, to one count of health care fraud and one count of illegal distribution of a schedule III controlled substance resulting in death, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. If approved by the district court at sentencing, the plea agreement calls for Twyner to serve a total of 8 years of incarceration, which will include 5 years in prison and 3 years of home and/or community confinement.
“The illegal distribution and abuse of prescription drugs is a significant problem,” explained Klinefeldt. “Our office, and the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that assisted with this prosecution, take seriously our duty to protect the public from such practices,” he added.
Federal law permits doctors, pharmacists, and other health care professionals with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registrations to lawfully dispense controlled substances if they are doing so in the usual course of their professional practices and for a legitimate medical purpose, but makes it illegal for them to knowingly issue a prescription to someone who is abusing or diverting a drug.
The indictment, filed October 23, 2012, charges Twyner with prescribing controlled substances in a manner likely to cause, and that did cause, dependence, addiction, and in one case, death, as well as failing to change his prescribing practices, even after being made aware of obvious signs of patient drug abuse and diversion. Additionally, the indictment alleges he caused various insurance companies to be billed for prescriptions and services that were not for a legitimate medical purpose.
Twyner surrendered his registration to prescribe controlled substances to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in April 2011, shortly after a federal search warrant was executed at the location of now-defunct Urgent Care Clinic in Newton, where he then practiced medicine. According to public records from the Iowa Board of Medicine, Twyner, who was first licensed in Iowa in 1976, surrendered his license to practice medicine in 2012, and agreed to pay a $10,000 fine. Twyner was cited by the Iowa Board of Medicine for “engaging in a pattern of willful and repeated violation of the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa, placing patients at risk of serious harm, when he prescribed excessive controlled substances to numerous patients, including patients with known drug histories.”
The investigation was a joint local, state, and federal effort, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Office of Diversion Control, and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Other assisting agencies were the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement (MINE)-East Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Jasper County Attorney’s Office, and Iowa Board of Medicine. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Burlington Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA - On February 19, 2014, Julian Jerome Collins, age 22, formerly from Burlington, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge James E. Gritzner to 90 months of imprisonment, after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm as a felon, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Collins was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
On June 14, 2013, Collins was found in possession of a 9 millimeter Ruger handgun, after a prior felony drug conviction. In determining Collins’s sentence, the district court found he had two prior convictions for crimes of violence, and possessed the firearm in connection with another felony offense.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Burlington, Iowa, Police Department, the West Burlington, Iowa, Police Department, and the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Pottawattamie County Resident Sentenced to 77 Months in Prison for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On February 14, 2014, Patrick Lawrence Estrada, a 35 year-old resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 77 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
Estrada pled guilty on November 1, 2013, to the charge, which was the result of an investigation conducted by the Council Bluffs, Police Department into a disturbance at a retail store on April 21, 2013. The investigation determined that Estrada possessed a .40 caliber Springfield semi-automatic firearm in his car’s glove box. Estrada has been prohibited from possessing a firearm since 2003.
The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Cass County Resident Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On February 14, 2014, Azucena Carmen Cordero, a 35 year-old resident of Atlantic, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 60 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from July of 2012 until January 21, 2013, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
Cordero pled guilty on October 15, 2013, to the charge, which was the result of an investigation conducted into methamphetamine distribution in and around the Atlantic, Iowa area. Cordero obtained methamphetamine from a source in South Omaha, Nebraska, distributing it in Atlantic, Iowa, and to a person in Polk City, Iowa. Co-defendant Paul Jessen was previously sentenced to 122 months by Judge Rose.
The investigation was conducted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, the Atlantic, Iowa, Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Adair County Resident Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On February 14, 2014, Jason Shane Steckelberg, a 49 year-old resident of Fontanelle, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 3, 2013, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
Steckelberg obtained methamphetamine from a source in South Omaha, Nebraska, and transported it back to Adair County for redistribution. On April 3, 2013, Steckelberg was stopped by law enforcemen,t and over 125 grams of pure methamphetamine was located in his car along with cash and other items that are indicative of drug trafficking. Steckelberg pled guilty on November 1, 2013, to the charge, which was the result of an investigation conducted into methamphetamine distribution in and around the Adair and Cass County area.
The investigation was conducted by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Arizona Man Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On February 14, 2014, Cesar Alexis Gonzalez, age 29, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey to 168 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Gonzalez was also ordered to serve eight years of supervised release following imprisonment and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
Beginning in approximately November 2011 and continuing until about April 10, 2012, Gonzalez agreed, with co-defendant Tony Young, to distribute methamphetamine for profit. Gonzalez knowingly shipped “ice” (also known as “crystal”) methamphetamine from Yuma, Arizona to Young in Washington County, Iowa, in exchange for money, and Gonzalez knew that the purpose of providing the methamphetamine to Young was for Young and others to distribute it. Specifically, on March 20, 2012, Gonzalez received a parcel containing a large amount of U.S. currency that had been sent by co-defendant Young in Iowa. On March 21, 2012, Gonzalez shipped ice methamphetamine from Yuma, Arizona to Young in Iowa. The next day law enforcement in Iowa intercepted the parcel sent by Gonzalez. The parcel contained approximately 200 grams of ice methamphetamine. Portions of the ice methamphetamine sent to Young were distributed by Young, co-defendant Kurt Brookhart, and co-defendant Nahida Buchheit.
On October 16, 2012, Chief Judge James E. Gritzner sentenced Young to 135 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release following imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On November 20, 2013, Judge Jarvey sentenced Kurt Brookhart to 110 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. On the same date, Judge Jarvey sentenced Buchheit to 68 months imprisonment and four years of supervised release following imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Washington-Louisa County Drug Task Force, the Iowa Department of Public Safety—Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the City of Yuma (Arizona) Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa
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Two Des Moines Men and One Woman Sentenced in Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - On February 10, 2014, Harry Lincoln Garrison, III, a 26 year-old resident of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 132 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt, United States Attorney. As part of the same case, Matthew Steven Steward, age 21, of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine and for carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking, and Elizabeth Heather Neilson, age 30, of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced to 60 months for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine. The indictment was filed on March 27, 2013, and all three entered their guilty pleas on October 28, 2013.
This case stems from an undercover investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Des Moines Police Department wherein a confidential informant made several illicit purchases of drugs and firearms from Garrison, Steward and others. In the same case, Allen Fortner Jr., Brien Leroy Watson Jr., and Orlando Paul Valadez have also pleaded guilty, and are scheduled for sentencing at a later date.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Des Moines, Iowa, Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Connecticut Man Found Guilty of Drug Conspiracy After TrialRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA - On February 7, 2014, a twelve-member jury found Michael G. Efthimiatos, age 35, of Danbury, Connecticut guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana. The trial commenced on Monday, February 3, 2014. Michael Efthimiatos was charged along with his brother, Angelo Efthimiatos, and the jury concluded that Michael Efthimiatos was a member of the conspiracy with his brother.
Angelo Efthimiatos was arrested on February 19, 2013, in Washington, Iowa, after he landed an airplane at the Washington Municipal Airport. The airplane contained approximately 55 pounds of high grade marijuana. Angelo Efthimiatos pleaded guilty on December 20, 2013, to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 kilograms of marijuana, and a separate charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington, Iowa, Police Department, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Safety, and the Danbury, Connecticut, Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Arizona Resident Sentenced to Ten Years for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On January 28, 2014, Shawn Michael Carrico, a 47 year-old resident of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge James E. Gritzner to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
On February 17, 2012, Carrico was stopped by the Iowa State Patrol as he traveled on Interstate 29 through Harrison County, Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol determined that there was an arrest warrant for Carrico from Arizona which led to a subsequent search of his items. In his possession a computer was found that appeared to have several suspicious files on it. When examined later by computer forensic experts, the computer contained images of child pornography. On October 3, 2013, Carrico entered a guilty plea to possession of child pornography.
The investigation was conducted by the Iowa State Patrol, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Cyber Crime Unit. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Council Bluffs Man Sentenced on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - On January 28, 2014, Scott Norman Hart, age 37, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced in United States District Court in Council Bluffs on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and carrying a firearm regarding drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Chief United States District Court Judge James E. Gritzner sentenced Hart to a total of 240 months imprisonment, that is, 180 months imprisonment on the drug charge, and a consecutive 60 months imprisonment on the firearm charge. Hart was further sentenced to concurrent terms of 5 years of supervised release on both charges. Hart was also ordered to forfeit the firearm and ammunition he possessed, and to pay a $200.00 special assessment for the Crime Victim Fund. Hart remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility at which he will serve his sentence.
The charges arose from the Fugitive Task Force encountering Hart at a residence in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on November 9, 2012. Hart was wanted on a fugitive warrant for absconding from parole in Nebraska. At the time Hart was arrested, he was found in possession of approximately 95 grams of methamphetamine and a small quantity of marijuana. Also found on his person at the time of his arrest was a loaded .380 caliber pistol.
The case was investigated by the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, 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.
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Bettendorf Men Indicted in Public Corruption Case and Additional Prosecutions UnsealedRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA B On January 28, 2014, an indictment charging Robert L. Budd, Jr. (Budd), formerly of Brown Traffic Products, Inc. (Brown Traffic) of Davenport, Iowa, and Robert W. Webster (Webster), a former city electrician for the city of Bettendorf, Iowa, was unsealed, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. The thirteen-count indictment charges Budd and Webster with conspiracy and bribery in connection with Webster’s work at the city of Bettendorf. The city of Bettendorf, Iowa is a government agency that has received funds under federal programs involving grants, contracts, or other forms of federal assistance in excess of $10,000 each year over the past several years and has conducted transactions with Brown Traffic in amounts exceeding $5,000.
The Budd and Webster indictment alleges that Webster received money, airfare to such places as Florida, Texas, and Nevada, tickets for race car events, and other forms of entertainment, lodging expenses for hotels and resorts in such places as Florida, Texas, Nevada, Kansas, and Illinois, meals, drinks, cigars, and golf and resort fees.
The court also unsealed two other files involving David Schiltz (Schiltz), the former CEO of Brown Traffic, and Daniel Fuchs (Fuchs), a former high-level manager and sales representative of Brown Traffic. Schiltz and Fuchs have entered guilty pleas and agreed to cooperate with the Government’s investigation. Within their plea agreements, both men admitted they conspired with Budd to corruptly give, and offer to give, things of value to Webster, and others, acting with the intent to influence and reward Webster in connection with transactions between the city of Bettendorf and Brown Traffic for traffic control devices and services.
Budd has entered a plea of not guilty and a trial is presently scheduled for April 7, 2014. Webster is expected to appear in court later this week.
The public is reminded that an indictment is only an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Lexington, Missouri Resident Sentenced to 77 Months in Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On January 28, 2014, Nathan Wayne Smith, a 48 year-old resident of Lexington, Missouri was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge James Gritzner to 77 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
On October 18, 2013, after a three day trial, the jury found Smith guilty of robbing the Great Western Bank of Hamburg, Iowa. The evidence produced at trial showed that on June 11, 2012, Smith traveled from his home in Lexington, Missouri to Hamburg, Iowa, arriving at the Great Western Bank around 9:30 a.m. Smith approached a teller in the bank, placed a plastic bag on the counter in front of her and told her to fill the bag with money. After obtaining the money from the teller, Smith ran from the bank.
Smith was identified as the party responsible when Buckner, Missouri, police officers recalled stopping a vehicle on the afternoon of June 11, 2012, that matched the description of the vehicle disseminated after-the-fact by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Buckner, Missouri, is located approximately 150 miles away from Hamburg, Iowa.
The investigation was conducted by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckner, Missouri Police Department, the Lexington, Missouri 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.
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Former Iowa State Professor Pleads Guilty to False StatementsRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt announced that Dr. Palaniappa Molian, of Ames, pled guilty on January 24, 2014, to two felony counts relating to false statements made to the National Science Foundation.
According to the written plea agreement, in December of 2009, Dr. Molian, as a principal investigator on a National Science Foundation grant to Iowa State University, submitted a reimbursement expense voucher that contained false statements. Dr. Molian claimed in a requested reimbursement that he traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, to work on an Iowa State University National Science Foundation grant research experiment. Dr. Molian admitted in the plea agreement that he did not perform any work on the grant research experiment in Boston, and that he traveled to Boston for unrelated reasons.
The plea agreement also provides that Dr. Molian, in his capacity as president of Photon Energy Technology, submitted a Small Business Innovation Research Program Report to the National Science Foundation on July 1, 2010, that contained false statements. Dr. Molian claimed and sought payment for approximately $20,000 in laser rental costs, when he had access to a laser at no cost. Dr. Molian spent the excess grant funds he was awarded on unrelated personal expenses.
Dr. Molian will be sentenced on April 25, 2014, before the Honorable James E. Gritzner. Making a false statement to a federal agency carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment of up to five years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
This case was investigated by the National Science Foundation Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Mills County, Iowa, Man Sentenced on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On January 24, 2014, Jason Shawn Allan, age 41, of Hastings, Iowa, was sentenced in United States District Court in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Senior United States District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt sentenced Allan to 24 months imprisonment, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Allan was also ordered to forfeit the firearm he possessed, and to pay a $100.00 special assessment to the Crime Victim Fund. Allan remained in the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility at which he will serve his sentence.
The charge arose from the response by Mills County Sheriff’s deputies to a call of a suspicious person on private property. Upon arrival, deputies found Allan with a disabled vehicle in a private driveway. Alan was observed to have bloodshot eyes, with an odor of marijuana emanating from his person. In the ensuing investigation, deputies found drug paraphernalia and an unloaded .22 caliber revolver in the vehicle, of which Allan was the operator and sole occupant. Along with other criminal history, Allan had previously been convicted of felony charges of theft, serious assault, forgery, and multiple charges of OWI 3rd.
The case was investigated by the Mills County Sheriff’s 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.
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Council Bluffs Man Sentenced on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On January 24, 2014, Michael Phillip Castor, age 40 of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by Senior Judge Robert W. Pratt, in United States District Court in Council Bluffs on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Senior United States District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt sentenced Castor to 110 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Castor was also ordered to forfeit the firearm and ammunition he possessed, and to pay a $100.00 special assessment for the Crime Victim Fund. Castor remained in the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility at which he will serve his sentence.
In sentencing Castor, Judge Pratt found that Castor was subject to the enhanced sentencing provisions of the Armed Career Criminal Act, which increases the sentence of a convicted felon in possession of a firearm based on prior serious drug felony or felony violent crime convictions. Castor was found to have three prior violent crime convictions in Nebraska, including burglary, robbery, and the use of a firearm to commit a felony.
The charge arose from a Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department investigation into a stolen motorcycle. During the search of a residence associated with Castor, officers found a loaded 9mm pistol. Officers had previously found on Castor’s person four rounds of ammunition which matched the make and caliber of the ammunition in the loaded pistol.
The case was investigation by the Council Bluffs, Iowa, 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.
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Burlington, Iowa, Men Sentenced on Federal Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On January 24, 2014, Akeem Levelle Eison, age 28, and Zachary Robert Shullaw, age 36, both of Burlington, Iowa, were sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Eison was sentenced to 100 months imprisonment. Shullaw was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment. Both were also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
Beginning in approximately March 2012 and continuing until about April 24, 2013, Eison and Shullaw conspired with other persons to distribute cocaine in the Burlington, Iowa area. Specifically, Shullaw personally sold undercover law enforcement personnel cocaine in ounce quantities. Eison distributed cocaine during the course of the conspiracy including providing co-defendant Shane Francis Culbertson with a multi-ounce quantity of drugs which Culbertson then arranged to sell to undercover law enforcement personnel.
On January 21, 2014, Judge Jarvey sentenced Culbertson to 30 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release following imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The remaining co-defendant, Corey Damon Keys, has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and is awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Burlington, Iowa, Police Department, and the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Sentences Issued in Des Moines Methamphetamine InvestigationRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA B United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt announced that nine individuals from the Des Moines, Iowa metro area have been sentenced on federal drug trafficking charges. Following the execution of multiple search and arrest warrants in December 2012, ten individuals were charged in the Southern District of Iowa with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and other substantive drug offenses, including: Juan Carlos Hernandez Gonzalez, Miguel Bazan Cardenas, Bertoldo Zuniga, Azael Bernal Balderas, Ubaldo Carrasco Alcantar, Josue Castaneira Cruz, Andres “Andy” Gomez, III, Gabriel Carrasco, Beverly Ann Hickcox and Danny Lee Iseminger. All ten of these individuals pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The following nine individuals were sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey on January 22 and 23, 2014:
• Juan Carlos Hernandez Gonzalez, age 33 of Des Moines, was sentenced to 300 months imprisonment and ordered to serve a term of 5 years supervised release following imprisonment.
• Miguel Bazan Cardenas, age 36 of Des Moines, was sentenced to 90 months imprisonment followed by 5 years supervised release.
• Bertoldo Zuniga, age 60 of Des Moines, was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Azael Bernal Balderas, age 31 of Des Moines, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment followed by 5 years supervised release.
• Ubaldo Carrasco Alcantar, age 46 of Des Moines, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Josue Castaneira Cruz, age 34 of Des Moines, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Gabriel Carrasco, age 32 of Des Moines, was sentenced to time served and was also ordered to serve 3 years supervised release with special conditions of 4 months in a residential facility followed by 4 months house arrest.
• Beverly Ann Hickcox, age 61 of Des Moines, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Danny Lee Iseminger, age 54 of Newton, was sentenced to 104 months imprisonment followed by 5 years supervised release.
Each of the above defendants also was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the crime victim’s fund.
The remaining defendant, Andres “Andy” Gomez, III, age 25 of Bondurant, Iowa, is scheduled to be sentenced April 30, 2014, at the United States Courthouse in Des Moines.
This investigation focused on the distribution of multiple-ounce quantities of extremely pure methamphetamine in the Des Moines area. The organization received shipments of 30 pounds of methamphetamine at a time that originated from Mexico. Bulk cash shipments of drug proceeds were sent to Mexico by the organization, which was headed in the Des Moines area by Juan Carlos Hernandez Gonzalez. During the searches conducted in December 2012, agents seized 1.9 kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine, $117,749 in drug proceeds and 17 firearms. Other properties, including a vehicle and residence, were also seized and forfeited as a result of the investigation.
The case was the result of the multiple-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF Program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Agencies involved in this case included the: Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Des Moines Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations; Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations; Iowa Division of Intelligence; Iowa National Guard Counter-Drug Unit; Iowa State Fire Marshals; Iowa State Patrol; Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force and Urbandale Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Fremont, Nebraska Resident Sentenced to 64 Months in Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On January 24, 2014, Dawn R. Hightree, a 43 year-old resident of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge Robert Pratt to 64 months in prison followed by six years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. On May 22, 2013, Hightree pled guilty to the charge which was the result of an investigation conducted into methamphetamine distribution at Harrah’s Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Hightree was found to have methamphetamine and drug trafficking paraphernalia in the hotel room at Harrah’s Casino where she was staying.
The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Special Enforcement Operations Bureau, the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Fremont, Nebraska Resident Sentenced to 64 Months in Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA- On January 24, 2014, Michael E. Hannum, a 53 year-old resident of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge Robert Pratt to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for escape, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. On November 1, 2013, the defendant pled guilty to escaping on August 2, 2013, from CH Inc. the residential re-entry center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. On August 4, 2013, the defendant was arrested by officers with the Council Bluffs Police.
The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department and the United States Marshal Service, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Federal Court Sentences Man on Illegal Re-entry ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA- On January 24, 2014, Manuel Partida Garcia, age 32, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 36 months imprisonment, after pleading guilty to illegal re-entry into the United States, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Partida Garcia was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund. Partida Garcia was found in the United States after being convicted in Marshall County, Iowa for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, eluding and carrying weapons. Partida was also found to be an aggravated felon based on a prior assault conviction out of the state of Washington.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Tarkio, Missouri Resident Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Bank FundsRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On January 22, 2014, Tiffany Ann Stanley, a 40 year old resident of Tarkio, Missouri, previously of Shenandoah, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie Rose to four months in prison, followed by four months of home confinement, and four years of supervised release for theft by a bank employee, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
On June 6, 2013, Stanley pled guilty to the charge which was the result of an investigation conducted into a reported bank robbery of the Great Western Bank of Riverton, Iowa. On November 17, 2012, Stanley reported to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, that she was forced to give money to a male robber. The investigation showed that Stanley was not robbed, but reported the robbery to cover her stealing of bank funds during the course of her employment as a teller.
As part of her sentence, Stanley was ordered to pay $25,166.40 in restitution to the Great Western Bank.
The investigation was conducted by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Atlantic Iowa Resident Sentenced to 122 Months in Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On January 22, 2014, Paul William Jessen, a 44 year-old resident of Atlantic, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie Rose to 122 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
On September 4, 2013, Jessen pled guilty to the charge which was the result of an investigation conducted into methamphetamine distribution in and around the Atlantic, Iowa area. Jessen was part of a drug trafficking group who distributed methamphetamine obtained from a source in Omaha, Nebraska.
The investigation was conducted by the Atlantic, Iowa, Police Department, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
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Rock Island, IL, Man Sentenced to 100 Months of Imprisonment for Possession of A Firearm in Connection with Attempted MurderRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On January 16, 2014, DeMarko Onslow Williams, age 25, of Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge James E. Gritzner to 100 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Williams was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release.
On March 31, 2013, Williams walked into the parking lot of The Chorus Line gentlemen’s club and fired multiple shots at a group of people standing near the entrance of the business. Williams did not hit anyone but his shots hit vehicles and the business’ front door in the immediate vicinity of numerous bystanders. Williams is a known affiliate of Fifth St. Mafia, aka Zone Fifth, a street gang in Rock Island, Illinois. Multiple members of the rival Davenport gang, Savage Life, aka 12th Street Boys, were standing in front of The Chorus Line when Williams opened fire. Davenport, Iowa, Police officers responded to the scene and Williams and another individual led the police on a high-speed vehicle pursuit that ended with Williams’ vehicle crashing into a fence. Williams then fled on foot and discarded the handgun that he had used in the shooting. Bullet casings recovered from The Chorus Line were analyzed and were determined to have been fired by the gun discarded by Williams.
This case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Davenport Man Sentenced to 12 Months and One Day in Prison for Wire Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On January 17, 2014, Charles Arthur Ruhl, Jr., age 59, of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to twelve months and one day of imprisonment for wire fraud and money laundering, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. United States District Judge Stephanie M. Rose also imposed a $144,000 fine and a two-year term of supervised release.
From 2008 to 2012 Ruhl embezzled over $1.3 million from four limited liability companies that he managed. Ruhl used the stolen money for business expenses related to NAI Ruhl and Ruhl Commercial Company, and for personal expenses such as property taxes on a vacation home, real estate investments, and his daughter’s college tuition. For years, Ruhl concealed his fraud by directing his employees to generate false financial statements and distribute them to the members of the defrauded LLC’s. Ruhl’s fraud was discovered on May 31, 2012, after he had so depleted the bank accounts of the Lincoln Healthcare Building, LLC, that there was not enough money to pay the taxes on the property owned by the company. Over the next eighteen months Ruhl repaid all of the money that he had taken.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Burlington Man Sentenced on Federal Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On January 21, 2014, Shane Francis Culbertson, age 29, of Burlington, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey to 30 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Culbertson was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
Beginning in approximately March 2012 and continuing until about April 24, 2013, Culbertson conspired with other persons to distribute cocaine in the Burlington, Iowa area. Specifically, during the above-mentioned time period Culbertson personally sold cocaine in quantities ranging from one to nine ounces to undercover law enforcement. Over the course of the conspiracy Culbertson was responsible for over 500 grams of cocaine. Culbertson’s three co-defendants, Zachary Robert Shullaw, Corey Damon Keys, and Akeem Levelle Eison, have each plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and are awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement; the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; the Burlington, Iowa, Police Department; and the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Davenport Man Sentenced on Federal Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On January 16, 2014, Marqueis Letrell Lewis, age 34, of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 113 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute at least 100 kilograms of marijuana, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Lewis was also ordered to serve four years of supervised release following the imprisonment and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
Beginning in approximately July 2008 and continuing until about July 31, 2012, Lewis conspired with other persons to distribute marijuana in the Davenport, Iowa area. Specifically, during the above-mentioned time period Lewis regularly purchased multiple pound quantities of marijuana directly from his co-defendant, Edwin James Goodwin, in Davenport and then further distributed the marijuana to various customers. Over the course of the conspiracy Lewis was responsible for distributing over 700 kilograms of marijuana. Goodwin pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 100 kilograms of marijuana and is awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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The Southern District of Iowa U.S. Attorneys Office Collects More Than $5.6 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2013Read the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt announced today that the Southern District of Iowa collected $5,607,017.30 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2013. Of this amount, $4,094,883.39 was collected in criminal actions and $1,512,133.91was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Southern District of Iowa worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $4,108,435.35 in civil cases pursued jointly with these offices.
Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the Justice Department collected approximately $8.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013. The more than $8 billion in collections in FY 2013 represents nearly three times the appropriated $2.76 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.
“The Department’s enforcement actions help to not only ensure justice is served, but also deliver a valuable return to the taxpayer,” said Attorney General Holder. “It is critical that Congress provide the resources necessary to match the Department’s mounting caseload. As these figures show, supporting our federal prosecutors is a sound investment.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Southern District of Iowa, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $2,377,955 in administrative and judicial asset forfeiture actions in FY 2013. Forfeited assets are deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund and are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. $862,737 in forfeited assets was returned to victims during FY 2013, and $543,406 was equitably shared with state and local law enforcement agencies.
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Six Chinese Nationals Indicted for Conspiring to Steal Trade Secrets from U.S. Seed CompaniesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt announced the indictment on December 17, 2013, of six Chinese nationals for conspiracy to steal trade secrets from U.S. seed companies. The indictment alleges that from on or about April of 2011, to on or about December of 2012, Mo Hailong, Li Shaoming, Wang Lei, Wang Hongwei, Ye Jian and Lin Yong conspired to steal the trade secrets of several U.S. based seed manufacturing companies, and transport those trade secrets to China for the benefit of their China-based seed company. Mo Hailong was previously charged by criminal complaint on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.
Mo Hailong is employed as the Director of International Business of the Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Company, which is part of DBN Group. DBN Group is believed to be a Chinese conglomerate with a corn seed subsidiary company, Kings Nower Seed.
Li Shaoming is Chief Executive Officer of Beijing Kings Nower Seed S & T Co., Ltd. Beijing Kings Nower Seed S & T, Co. (BKN) is the wholly owned seed subsidiary of DBN. Beijing Kings Nower Seed is headquartered in Beijing, China.
Wang Lei is a citizen and resident of China, and the Vice Chairman of Beijing Kings Nower Seed S & T CO., LTD.
Wang Hongwei is believed to be a resident of Quebec, Canada. Wang Hongwei is believed to be a citizen of both Canada and China.
Ye Jian is a citizen and resident of China, and a research manager for Beijing Kings Nower Seed S & T Co., Ltd.
Lin Yong is a citizen and resident of China, and an employee for Beijing Kings Nower Seed S & T Co., Ltd.
The defendants are alleged to have conspired to steal inbred corn seed from Dupont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds. This “inbred” or “parent” line of seed constitutes valuable intellectual property of a seed producer. After stealing the inbred corn seed, the conspirators attempted to covertly transfer the inbred corn seed to China. The estimated loss on an inbred line of seed is approximately 5-8 years of research and a minimum of 30-40 million dollars.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely a charge, and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Quad Cities Area Man Sentenced on Federal Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On December 19, 2013, Autumn E. Skelton, age 38, of Port Byron, Illinois, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge James E. Gritzner to 18 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute at least 50 kilograms of marijuana, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Skelton was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
Beginning in approximately October 2010 and continuing until about October 27, 2012, Skelton conspired with other persons to distribute marijuana in the Quad Cities area. Specifically, Skelton and co-defendant John Michael Masterson received multiple kilograms of marijuana on multiple occasions from persons transporting the marijuana in vehicles from Northern California to the Davenport, Iowa area on behalf of co-defendant David Gabriel Morago. Skelton further distributed the marijuana he received to customers in the Port Byron, Illinois area.
On October 8, 2013, Chief Judge Gritzner sentenced Masterson to 24 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release following imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. On October 23, 2013, Judge Gritzner sentenced Morago to 110 months imprisonment and four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency - Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group; Davenport, Iowa, Police Department; South Dakota Highway Patrol; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Mendocino County California Sherriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Former Des Moines, Iowa, Police Officer Indicted for Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – Colin Boone, previously employed as an officer of the Des Moines, Iowa, Police Department, was indicted on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, on the charge of deprivation of rights under color of law for assaulting a civilian during the course of an arrest on February 19, 2013, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Boone was arrested in South Dakota this morning, and is scheduled to have an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at 3:15 p.m. this afternoon.
The charge of deprivation of rights under color of law, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242, carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The indictment specifically charges that Boone physically assaulted the victim by kicking him, resulting in bodily injury.
Today’s indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Des Moines Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Prosecution of this matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The public is reminded that an indictment is only an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Child Pornography Offenders Receive A Combined 43 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - Nicholas A. Klinefeldt, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, announced the conclusion of a multi-agency investigation of internet-related child pornography crimes in the Southern District of Iowa.
The investigation, spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations-Des Moines, Iowa, centered on the trading of child pornography pictures and videos on peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. Five defendants were charged and convicted in separate prosecutions and were sentenced to a combined total of more than 43 years in prison: Francisco Zayas (Marshalltown), 240 months; Monroe Wardlow (Grinnell), 96 months; Enrique Guzman (Osceola), 80 months; William Trimble, Jr. (Albia), 60 months; and Michael Hanold (Creston), 48 months. After serving their terms of imprisonment, each defendant will be required to serve a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and to register as a sex offender.
Other law enforcement agencies assisting with the operation included the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa police departments of Albia, Creston, Grinnell, Marshalltown, and Osceola. The cases were prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of its “Project Safe Childhood” initiative.
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Chinese National Arrested for Conspiring to Steal Trade SecretsRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt announced the arrest of Mo Hailong, also known as Robert Mo, for conspiracy to steal trade secrets. The criminal complaint alleges that from on or about September of 2011, to on or about October of 2012, Mo Hailong and other individuals conspired to steal the trade secrets of several U.S. based seed manufacturing companies, and transport those trade secrets to China for the benefit of their China-based seed company.
Mo Hailong is a Chinese national who became a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) in the United States pursuant to an H-1B visa. Mo Hailong is employed as the Director of International Business of the Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Company, which is part of DBN Group. DBN Group is believed to be a Chinese conglomerate with a corn seed subsidiary company, Kings Nower Seed.
During the course of the conspiracy, Mo Hailong and others are alleged to have stolen valuable inbred corn seed from production fields in Iowa and Illinois. This “inbred” or “parent” line of seed constitutes valuable intellectual property of a seed producer. After stealing the inbred corn seed, the conspirators attempted to covertly transfer the inbred corn seed to China.
The investigation was initiated when Dupont Pioneer security staff detected suspicious activity, and alerted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Dupont Pioneer, Monsanto and their staff have been fully cooperative throughout the investigation, which is being led by the FBI.
In accordance with the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, the public is reminded that a criminal complaint constitutes facts supporting probable cause, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Iowa City Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA - On December 5, 2013, Ricardo Ibarra Toscano, a 39 year-old citizen of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 60 months in prison, after pleading guilty to illegal re-entry into the United States as an aggravated felon, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. After serving his sentence, Ibarra Toscano will be turned over to immigration authorities. If he is not deported, then he will be subject to a term of supervised release of three years. Ibarra Toscano was also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims Fund. Ibarra Toscano had been deported on four prior occasions and had five prior drug convictions, including one in 2002 for manufacturing methamphetamine. Ibarra Toscano was found in Muscatine County, Iowa, in March 2013, after pleading guilty to interference with official acts.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Iowa City Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA - On December 5, 2013, Norman Dudley, age 22, from Iowa City, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 26 months in prison, after pleading guilty to distribution of cocaine base (“crack”), announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Dudley was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release, following the period of imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
In a related case, John Mulbah, age 22, from Iowa City, Iowa, was also sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 72 months in prison, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Mulbah was also ordered to serve four years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers made controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Mulbah on August 10, August 13 and August 14. During the purchase on August 14, 2012, both Dudley and Mulbah distributed crack cocaine as part of a controlled transaction with law enforcement officers. Mulbah admitted as part of the plea proceedings that between August 14 and August 17, 2012, he was involved with Norman Dudley and others in an agreement to distribute crack cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa City, Iowa, Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Phoenix Man Found Guilty of Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and HeroinRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - On November 26, 2013, Ismael Corrales Portillo, a 42 yearold resident of Phoenix, Arizona, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one kilogram or more of heroin; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; and possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, announced Nicholas A. Klinefeldt, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. The trial was presided over by United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey. All three charges carry a potential sentence of up to life in prison, a fine up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release. All three charges also carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
The evidence produced at trial showed that Corrales Portillo worked together with his brother, Jose Corrales Portillo, to transport from Phoenix, Arizona, approximately three pounds of methamphetamine and seventeen pounds of heroin. On July 13, 2013, the brothers stopped in Des Moines, Iowa to deliver three pounds of methamphetamine.
While in Des Moines, the Narcotics Section of the Des Moines Police Department conducted an operation that resulted in the seizure of the heroin and methamphetamine, which were concealed inside the gas tank of a vehicle.
Jose Corrales Portillo pled guilty on November 20, 2013, and the sentencing proceeding is scheduled for March 27, 2014.
The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines, Iowa, Police Department, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Washington County Man and Woman Sentenced to Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On November 20, 2013, Kurt James Brookhart, age 46, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey to 110 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Brookhart was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following the imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
In a related case, Nahida Amira Buchheit, age 38, was also sentenced on November 20, 2013, by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey to 68 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Buchheit was also ordered to serve four years of supervised release following the imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
Beginning in approximately November 2011 and continuing until about April 10, 2012, Brookhart and Buchheit conspired with Tony Henry Young, Cesar Alexis Gonzalez, and others to distribute methamphetamine in the Washington County, Iowa, area. During this time period Brookhart and Young received “ice” (also known as “crystal”) methamphetamine from Young’s nephew, Gonzalez. Gonzalez obtained the methamphetamine from a source in Arizona, and then shipped the methamphetamine via parcel services to Brookhart’s residence in Wellman, Iowa, where Brookhart resided with Young and Buchheit. Brookhart received a portion of the methamphetamine from each package as did Young. Brookhart distributed some amount of that methamphetamine to other individuals. On March 22, 2012, law enforcement intercepted a parcel sent by Gonzalez to the Wellman residence. That parcel contained approximately 200 grams of ice methamphetamine.
On October 16, 2012, Chief Judge James E. Gritzner sentenced Tony Henry Young to 135 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release following imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. Cesar Alexis Gonzalez has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, and is pending sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Washington-Louisa County Drug Task Force and the Iowa Department of Public Safety - Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Former Davenport Man Sentenced for Robbery of Family Credit UnionRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA - On November 15, 2013, Elbert Lee Karr, Jr., age 48, formerly from Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 151 months imprisonment, after pleading guilty to bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Karr was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment, and to pay $2,920 in restitution and $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.
On October 22, 2012, Karr entered the Family Credit Union in Davenport, Iowa, received cash after presenting a demand note, and left the bank. Karr was arrested later that evening, after refusing repeated attempts by law enforcements to stop while driving a stolen semi-tractor. Karr was found in possession of some of the stolen money and admitted committing the robbery.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, the Iowa State Highway Patrol, and the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Midwest USA Outfitters Operated by A Pennsylvania Man Found Guilty on 13 Counts of Lacey Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA - On November 14, 2013, Rodney Eugene Hughes, a 63 year-old resident of Mayfield, Pennsylvania, doing business as Midwest USA Outfitters, Cantril, Iowa, was found guilty in federal court of seven counts of the unlawful sale and/or acquiring of deer, taken and transported in interstate commerce, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. In addition, Mr. Hughes was found guilty of six counts of willfully submitting false information as to the licensing of said deer that was intended to be transported in interstate commerce. Penalties for said crimes include a fine not more than $250,000, imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.
The evidence produced at trial showed that Hughes owned and operated a hunting guide service in Southern Iowa known as Midwest USA Outfitters. In 2008, several non-resident hunters came to Southern Iowa to hunt with Midwest USA Outfitters. These hunters came knowing they did not possess a buck tag, but were told by Hughes that he would provide them with a resident buck tag. Hughes had relatives and friends obtain hunting tags and used these tags to place on the non-resident hunters’ kill. Hughes would then report or cause to be reported the tag information to the State of Iowa by inputting the tag number belonging to people other than the hunters. This is in violation of the Lacey Act, Title 16 U.S. Code Sections 3372 and 3373; in addition to Iowa State Code Sections 483A.1; 483A.26; 483A.38; and various Iowa Administrative Code Sections.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Glenwood, Iowa, Resident Sentenced for Theft of Social Security FundsRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On November 12, 2013, Marlene Lucille Moore, a 61 year-old resident of Glenwood, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John Jarvey to six months in prison followed by six months of home confinement for theft of funds from the Social Security Administration, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Judge Jarvey also ordered Moore to serve three years of supervised release when she completes her imprisonment, and ordered Moore to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $164,852.
On July 3, 2013, Moore pled guilty to theft of funds of the United States. The charge was the result of an investigation into the payment of funds by the Social Security Administration to a bank account set up to receive funds for an eligible recipient. The Social Security Administration had learned that the recipient had died in 2001. The investigation revealed that Moore removed money from the account from 2001 until August of 2012, taking $164,852 from the account without authority.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration-Office of the Inspector General, and the case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Atlantic, Iowa, Resident Sentenced to 46 Months for Possession of A Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA- On November 12, 2013, Gregory Allen Jennings, a 42 year-old resident of Atlantic, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John Jarvey to 46 months in prison for possessing a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Judge Jarvey also ordered Jennings to serve three years of supervised release when he completes his imprisonment.
On November 12, 2013, Jennings pled guilty to knowingly possessing a stolen firearm. The charge was the result of an investigation into firearms which were stolen from a vehicle in Atlantic, Iowa, in January of 2013. The investigation revealed that Jennings had received the firearm shortly after it was stolen, and was attempting to sell the firearm when it was located by law enforcement.
The investigation was conducted by the Atlantic, Iowa, Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Marshalltown Man Sentenced to Prison on Mail Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt announced that on November 7, 2013, Michael James Allison, age 48, of Marshalltown, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison based on his earlier guilty plea to mail fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud his employer through the mailing of fraudulent expense reports for reimbursement. Sentence was imposed by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey. Judge Jarvey also ordered that Allison serve three years of supervised release following his release from federal prison.
Allison also will be required to pay restitution to the victim of his offense. Judge Jarvey will issue an order at a later date, which will set forth the amount of restitution to be paid.
According to the written plea agreement, Allison, while in his position as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance of a regional subsidiary of Airgas, Inc., mailed falsified expense reports to the region’s accounting office. Allison categorized personal expenses as business expenses and fabricated expenses on the reports. In one instance, Allison claimed he was entitled to reimbursement for approximately $9,000 for Ryder Cup golf tickets and expenses, when the tickets were for his personal use. Based on the evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Allison obtained more than $400,000 as a result of his scheme over a period of approximately ten years.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, following a referral from Airgas, Inc., and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Exira, Iowa, Resident Sentenced to 30 Months for Possession of A Firearm by A Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On November 7, 2013, Randy Eugene Doss, a 51 year-old resident of Exira, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge James E. Gritzner to thirty months in prison for possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Chief Judge Gritzner also ordered Doss to serve two years of supervised release when he completes his imprisonment.
On August 1, 2013, Doss pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The charge was the result of a June 12, 2013, search by law enforcement of Doss’ home in Exira, Iowa, in which a loaded .410 shotgun was located by the front door of the residence.
The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department, the United States Marshall Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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