The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa says a Page County man was sentenced today (Tuesday) to 19 and a-half years in prison for his role in a robbery, and car jacking.  43-year old Tiran Rodez Casteel, of Coin, was also convicted on charges which included obstruction of justice and witness tampering. In addition, Casteel was sentenced to a consecutive term of 84 months in prison for brandishing a firearm during the car jacking, for a total prison term of 26 1/2 years.

United States District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt also ordered Casteel to serve a five year term of supervised release following release from prison, and pay $400 to the Crime Victim Fund. Restitution was ordered to remain open until the value of the stolen coins can be determined.

The case against him revolved around the September 11, 2008, robbery of Darlene Eitzen at her rural Page Countyfarm home. The woman was held at gun point while Casteel and his son, Devan Casteel, robbed Mrs. Eitzen of her rare and valuable coin collection, which she had acquired after her husband’s death.

Federal jurisdiction for the prosecution existed because Casteel had taken Mrs. Eitzen’s car during the robbery, in violation of the federal carjacking statute. While awaiting trial on the federal charges Casteel attempted to have Mrs Eitzen killed so she could not testify at his trial. That resulted in addition charges being filed in federal court for obstruction of justice and witness tampering.

The case was investigated by the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Division of the United States Department of Justice (ATF), the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Page County Sheriffs Office. It was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Iowa.