Rapids - Shore News Network

Cedar Rapids Man Convicted of Methamphetamine Crimes Involving Pounds of the Drug

Indira PatelOctober 17, 20230

A man who conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine was convicted by a jury on October 13, 2023, after a four-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Michael Lee Brunson, age 66, who lived in Cedar Rapids, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of distribution of methamphetamine. The jury also found that $30,540 in United Sates Currency was subject to forfeiture because the property was used or intended to be used in relationship to the drug trafficking conspiracy. The evidence at trial

Cedar Rapids Man Who Was Found with Over $135,000 in Drug Money Pleads Guilty to Possessing Meth with Intent to Distribute and Possessing Firearm as a Drug User

DOJ PressNovember 23, 20220

A man who possessed methamphetamine with intent to distribute it and who possessed a firearm as an unlawful drug user, pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Joshua Ryan Gorrell, age 37, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it within 1,000 feet of a protected location, and one count of possession of a firearm as an unlawful drug user. In a plea agreement, Gorrell admitted that, on July 22, 2022, he made a 911 call regarding an overdose that occurred at his home in Cedar Rapids. When

Cedar Rapids Man Who Transported Over 100 Pounds of Methamphetamine from California to Iowa Pleads Guilty

DOJ PressNovember 8, 20220

A man who hauled loads of 30 to 60 pounds of methamphetamine from California to Iowa pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Albert Henry Bailey, age 53, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. At the plea hearing, Bailey admitted he conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Iowa. Evidence at a prior hearing showed that during a wiretap investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Cedar Rapids in late 2021 and early 2022, Bailey was discovered to be a driver for a group of individuals who

Cedar Rapids Meth and Heroin Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

DOJ PressNovember 8, 20220

A Cedar Rapids woman who distributed methamphetamine and heroin was sentenced November 7, 2022, to two years in federal prison. Breanna Lynn Luna, age 42, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 23, 2022 guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Evidence disclosed at sentencing showed that, between January 2020 and March 2020, Luna distributed methamphetamine and heroin in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On March 4, 2020, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle in which Luna was a passenger. During the stop, officers recovered methamphetamine from Luna’s purse. Luna was

Grand Rapids Brothers Sentenced To Prison For Brazen Gun Store Robbery

DOJ PressNovember 4, 20220

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Mark Totten today announced that Joseph Woods, 33, and his brother, Johon Woods, 28, both of Grand Rapids, were each sentenced to a total of 84 months in prison for stealing 53 firearms from an area gun store. U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering also ordered a 3-year period of supervised release to follow each defendant’s term of incarceration. “My office is focused on disrupting the escalating gun violence that is plaguing our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Together with our federal, state,

Felon Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Federal Prison After Shootout in Streets of Cedar Rapids

DOJ PressNovember 2, 20220

A man who engaged in a gun battle in Cedar Rapids was sentenced on November 1, 2022, to more than eight years in federal prison. Lamont Bailey, age 40, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 11, 2022 guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Surveillance videos introduced at the sentencing hearing showed that, on December 11, 2021, Bailey drove his car to a business on Kirkwood Court SW in Cedar Rapids and parked. Before he exited his car, Bailey tucked a pistol into his waistband. Bailey then went into

Coon Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening a U.S. Senator

DOJ PressNovember 1, 20220

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Coon Rapids man has pleaded guilty to making interstate threats against a U.S. Senator, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on June 11, 2022, Brendon Michael Daugherty, 35, left two voicemail messages on the field office telephone of a U.S. Senator located outside the state of Minnesota. Both messages contained threats of violence directed at the U.S. Senator. In his first message, Daugherty stated, “You and the Republican Party should be proud that you’re pushing me to become a domestic terrorist. Have a nice [expletive] day; can’t wait to kill ya.”

Grand Rapids Man Sentenced To Nearly Six Years In Prison For Unlawfully Possessing Firearms

DOJ PressOctober 28, 20220

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced today that Ernest James Jones, Jr., 22, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms. U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney also imposed a 3-year period of supervised release to follow Jones’s incarceration. “Reducing gun crime and preserving the safety of our communities are priorities for my office,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “We are committed to working with the ATF and our law enforcement partners to disrupt illegal, black market

Le Macaron Secures Position as #1 French Patisserie and Authentic Macaron Franchise in the United States With New Locations in Albuquerque, Boston, and Grand Rapids

Jessica WoodsOctober 22, 20220

Rapidly Growing Franchise Has More Than Twice the Number of Locations as Any Competitors Sarasota, FL (-) It’s been 13 years since Le Macaron French Pastries® opened its first location in Sarasota, Florida in 2009. The business reunited a family with co-founders Rosalie Guillem and her daughter and son-in-law Audrey and Didier Saba at the helm. Rosalie’s son, Gregory, opened the first franchise in Winter Park, Florida, and is now the company’s Director of Operations and Franchising. Since Le Macaron first began franchising in 2012, it has rapidly expanded with more than 63 locations, making it the #1 French Pastries

Le Macaron French Pastries Remains #1 French Patisserie and Authentic Macaron Franchise in the United States With New Openings in Boston and Grand Rapids

Jessica WoodsOctober 22, 20220

Le Macaron announced the grand opening of its Grand Rapids location at 132 Monroe Center Street NW in downtown Grand Rapids. Owners Bobbi Jo and William Blanton of Rockford said customers have been eager to try the authentic macarons, gourmet chocolates, French gelato, European style coffees, and classic French pastries. Sarasota, FL (-) Le Macaron, the leading French Pastries and Macaron franchise in the United States, announced the opening of two new locations in Grand Rapids, MI at 132 Monroe Center Street NW and in Somerville, MA at 411 Artisan Way. With prime locations in downtown Grand Rapids and Harvard

Two More Sentenced to Federal Prison in Cedar Rapids Heroin and Fentanyl Wiretap Case

DOJ PressOctober 7, 20220

Two men who distributed large quantities of heroin laced with fentanyl and fentanyl analogues were sentenced this week to a total of more than six years in federal prison. Jerry Dwyane Banghart, age 31, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received his prison term after an April 8, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Thomas Nathaniel May, age 27, from Seattle, Washington, received his prison term after a June 2, 2022 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Evidence at a prior hearing showed that, during an early 2021 wiretap

Sauk Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing, Selling Ghost Guns

DOJ PressSeptember 28, 20220

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Sauk Rapids man has pleaded guilty to willfully manufacturing firearms without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, between the fall of 2021 through April 2022, Jay James Olson, 21, willfully engaged in the business of manufacturing firearms for profit, despite the fact that he is not and has never been a federally licensed manufacturer of firearms. In the spring of 2022, Olson offered to sell unserialized firearms, commonly referred to as “ghost guns,” and various firearms-related accessories, including a silencer, an auto sear, and high-capacity magazines, to an individual

Coon Rapids Man Indicted for Threatening a U.S. Senator

DOJ PressSeptember 16, 20220

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal grand jury returned an indictment against a Coon Rapids man for making interstate threats against a U.S. Senator, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents on June 11, 2022, Brendon Michael Daugherty, 35, left two voicemail messages on the field office telephone of a U.S. Senator located outside the state of Minnesota. Both messages contained threats of violence directed at the U.S. Senator. In his first message, Daugherty stated, “You and the Republican Party should be proud that you’re pushing me to become a domestic terrorist. Have a nice [expletive] day; can’t wait

Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a Felon

DOJ PressSeptember 7, 20220

A man who possessed a firearm and ammunition as a felon was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison. Federico Luna, age 23, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 4, 2022 guilty plea to one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon. Luna had previously been convicted of reckless use of a firearm, harassment in the first and third degree, assault, and criminal mischief in the second degree. Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that Luna sped through a residential area in Cedar Rapids while leading law enforcement on

Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison for Being a Drug User in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition

DOJ PressSeptember 2, 20220

A drug user who possessed firearms and ammunition was sentenced September 1, 2022, to six months in federal prison. Douglas Studer, age 63, of Cedar Rapids, received the sentence after a November 15, 2021 guilty plea to one count of being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition. At the plea hearing, Studer admitted that, on May 17, 2019, he knowingly possessed two pistols and 932 rounds of ammunition while being a user of methamphetamine. Studer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Studer was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. He must

Cedar Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to 2011 Robbery After Start of Federal Trial

DOJ PressAugust 29, 20220

A man who robbed a Century cab on April 29, 2011, pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Johnathan DeWayne Mitchell, age 44, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of interference with commerce by robbery. The guilty plea occurred during the opening stages of Mitchell’s jury trial after exhibits had been admitted and the jury was selected. In the plea hearing, Mitchell admitted he robbed a Century cab on April 29, 2011, and took money and personal effects from the driver. Evidence admitted at the trial, before the plea was entered, showed the cab driver

Felon Returned to Federal Prison After Escaping from Cedar Rapids Halfway House

DOJ PressAugust 23, 20220

A man who escaped from a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, halfway house while serving a sentence for unlawful firearms possession was sentenced on August 18, 2022, to more than an additional year in federal prison. Ricky Joe Vaughn, age 43, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 8, 2022 guilty plea to one count of escape from custody. At Vaughn’s plea and sentencing hearings, the evidence showed that Vaughn was sentenced in June 2015 to serve 96 months in federal prison for possessing firearms and ammunition illegally. Vaughn was scheduled to be released from a federal prison

Federal Court Bars Grand Rapids Physician From Prescribing Controlled Substances And Orders Civil Judgment Over Forged Opioid Prescriptions

DOJ PressJuly 25, 20220

GRAND RAPIDS – David D. Sova, D.O., of Grand Rapids entered into a settlement with the United States in which he agreed to a court order to never prescribe controlled substances. According to the terms of the consent decree entered by U.S. District Court Judge Jane M. Beckering, Dr. Sova is also ordered to pay $170,000 in civil penalties to resolve the United States’ allegations that he forged opioid prescriptions for his own use. In its civil complaint, the United States alleges that Dr. Sova issued prescriptions for controlled substances

Federal Court Bars Grand Rapids Physician From Prescribing Controlled Substances And Orders Civil Judgment Over Forged Opioid Prescriptions

DOJ PressJuly 25, 20220

GRAND RAPIDS – David D. Sova, D.O., of Grand Rapids entered into a settlement with the United States in which he agreed to a court order to never prescribe controlled substances. According to the terms of the consent decree entered by U.S. District Court Judge Jane M. Beckering, Dr. Sova is also ordered to pay $170,000 in civil penalties to resolve the United States’ allegations that he forged opioid prescriptions for his own use. In its civil complaint, the United States alleges that Dr. Sova issued prescriptions for controlled substances

Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison for Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm

DOJ PressJuly 22, 20220

A prohibited person who possessed a firearm was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison. Rakeem Leonard, age 31, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the sentence after a February 11, 2022 guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, Leonard admitted that, on July 19, 2021, he possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol after having been convicted of two felonies and while he was subject to a no contact order. Leonard was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Leonard was sentenced to 63

Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison for Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm

DOJ PressJuly 22, 20220

A prohibited person who possessed a firearm was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison. Rakeem Leonard, age 31, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the sentence after a February 11, 2022 guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, Leonard admitted that, on July 19, 2021, he possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol after having been convicted of two felonies and while he was subject to a no contact order. Leonard was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Leonard was sentenced to 63

Grand Rapids Man Sentenced To 42 Months For Robbery

DOJ PressJuly 6, 20220

January 2022 Robbery of Lake Michigan Credit Union GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — James Paul Sciamanna, 49, from Grand Rapids, was sentenced to serve 42 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons for committing the robbery. U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou also ordered Sciamanna to serve 3 years of supervised release following his release from prison, pay a $1,250 fine, and make restitution for the unrecovered money. James Paul Sciamanna On January 4, 2022, Sciamanna robbed the Lake Michigan Credit Union located at 2720 Lake Michigan Drive NW, in Walker,

Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Participation in Violent Marijuana Robbery

DOJ PressJune 29, 20220

A man who participated in an armed robbery during a drug robbery in which a marijuana dealer was shot was sentenced June 28, 2022, to five years in federal prison. Cortez Riggins, age 20, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 4, 2022 guilty plea to one count of robbery affecting interstate commerce. Evidence at a prior hearing and information at sentencing showed that in October 2020, Riggins arranged to buy marijuana from another individual, the eventual victim. Riggins then drove three coconspirators to the purported deal. One of Riggins’s coconspirators entered the victim’s apartment to

Leader of Large Cedar Rapids Heroin and Fentanyl Ring Uncovered by Wiretap Pleads Guilty to Six Federal Crimes

DOJ PressJune 27, 20220

A man who led a multi-year heroin and fentanyl distribution ring pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Brian Jarell Dennis, age 32, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, four counts of distributing controlled substances (heroin, fentanyl, and another synthetic form of fentanyl called acetyl fentanyl), and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, Dennis admitted that he conspired to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin between 2017 and June 2021. He also admitted that, in

Owners Of Grand Rapids Trucking Company Plead Guilty To Bank Fraud Conspiracy, Pay $1,000,000 In Related Civil Case, In Connection With Covid-19 Relief Fraud

DOJ PressJune 22, 20220

DMR Transportation Falsified Financial Records To Receive A Second-Draw Loan Under The Paycheck Protection Program GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Semsi Salja and Anes Suhonjic, the owners of Grand Rapids-based trucking company DMR Transportation (“DMR”), pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring to commit bank fraud in connection with a $290,855.00 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). In a related civil case, DMR, Salja, and Suhonjic agreed to pay a total of $1,000,000.00, including a substantial civil monetary penalty under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (“FIRREA”).