U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa
Recent News About U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa
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Nong Chatchanok Press of Iowa City has been sentenced to over nine years in federal prison for receiving child pornography. Authorities seized thousands of illicit images from his devices following an investigation prompted by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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A Bettendorf man received over eighteen years in federal prison for repeated child pornography offenses while on supervised release. Authorities say Jacob Lawson Bertrand possessed thousands of illegal images and videos using an unauthorized cell phone. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood's ongoing efforts against online child exploitation.
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A Silvis man received a five-year federal prison sentence for illegally possessing a firearm as a felon. Authorities say he fled police with a loaded pistol while on parole for another offense. The case is part of broader efforts under Project Safe Neighborhoods.
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A Davenport man has been sentenced to over four years in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms as a felon. Authorities say Gregory Francis Young III was apprehended after pointing a gun at victims and being found with loaded weapons during a traffic stop.
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Cedrick Dequn Willingham of Davenport has been sentenced to over seven years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a felon. Authorities say he fled police before being found with weapons and ammunition at his home. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods' efforts to reduce gun violence.
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Diamonte Eugene Thomas of Davenport has been sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison for possessing ammunition as a felon. The case involved firing shots near an apartment building while children were present. Authorities say this prosecution is part of efforts to reduce violent crime through Project Safe Neighborhoods.
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U.S. Attorney David Waterman has announced the senior leadership team for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Andrew Joseph Branigan of Emerson has been sentenced to over 18 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography. Authorities say he possessed hundreds of illegal images and videos on his cell phone. The case was investigated as part of Project Safe Childhood.
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Joseph Lee Rhodes, Jr., a 41-year-old resident of Muscatine County, Iowa, will remain in custody while awaiting trial on federal charges related to the transportation of child pornography.
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A Des Moines man has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for illegal firearm possession as a drug user, following a shooting incident in December 2024.
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Two men from the Quad Cities area have been sentenced to federal prison for firearms and drug offenses, according to an announcement from United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa.
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A man from Powell, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor.
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A Marshalltown man, Cory Marvin Baker, 54, has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for attempted receipt of child pornography while on supervised release.
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A Rock Island man, Lashawn Leroy Williams, Jr., 24, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after being convicted on charges related to firearms and cocaine distribution.
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A Davenport man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.
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Two residents of Davenport, Iowa, have been sentenced to federal prison following convictions related to cocaine distribution.
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Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold received a nine-year prison sentence for running a romance scam targeting victims nationwide—including central Iowa—and laundering over $1.5 million through fake companies. Authorities urge anyone affected by similar scams or suspicious online relationships to report incidents promptly.
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United States Attorney David C. Waterman spoke at the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers’ 63rd Annual Seminar on February 27, 2026, providing an overview of the Southern District of Iowa’s priorities and recent accomplishments.
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A man from Durant, Iowa, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for transporting child pornography.
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A man from Tulare, California has been sentenced to life in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.