DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines has returned an indictment charging 18 individuals with offenses related to bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa today (Monday), said as alleged in the Indictment, Defendants orchestrated a nationwide scheme to defraud financial institutions and draw funds from stolen business checks. Defendants, located across the country, first obtained the stolen checks from uncharged co-conspirators.

They then registered sham entities with the IRS and state government agencies—including the Iowa Secretary of State—with names which were identical or similar to the legitimate recipients of the checks. After obtaining registration documents and IRS employer identification numbers, Defendants opened or attempted to open accounts at banks and credit unions in the names of the sham entities, intending to deposit the stolen checks. While attempting to open the accounts, Defendants made material misrepresentations to or concealed material facts from the banks and credit unions.

The Indictment alleges that once Defendants were able to open the accounts for the sham entities, they deposited or attempted to deposit the stolen checks in the accounts. If the deposit was successful, Defendants withdrew large amounts of cash from the accounts and/or obtained cashier’s or official checks from the accounts. Defendants distributed the proceeds among their co-conspirators.

Oftentimes, Defendants obtained cashier’s or official checks written to sham entities that were created for the purpose of laundering stolen check proceeds. Defendants used the money obtained from the stolen business checks for their personal benefit and purposes.

The Indictment alleges the Defendants’ conduct affected at least twelve business victims and at least fourteen financial institution victims. Defendants and their co-conspirators attempted to deposit at least $10 million worth of stolen checks into fraudulent accounts and were able to obtain at least $2.1 million in proceeds from their criminal conduct.

If convicted, Defendants face a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison on counts alleging bank fraud or bank fraud conspiracy and ten years in prison on counts alleging money laundering or money laundering conspiracy.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case with assistance from the Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and Secret Service, as well as with assistance from numerous state and local agencies. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle Essley, Kristin Herrera, and Joseph Lubben are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

(Crawford County, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a wastewater bypass at the City of Denison in Crawford County. Officials at the Iowa DNR Field Office in Atlantic received a call today (Monday) from Denison Municipal Utilities (DMU) regarding a wastewater bypass due to a lateral service line that had become plugged.

The discharge was discovered around 7:40 a.m. at the Denison Country Store located at 1108 4th Avenue S. in Denison. It is estimated that up to 300 gallons of sewage flowed onto the ground and a portion of it flowed into a storm sewer which outlets to the Boyer River.  DMU staff were able to remove the blockage and officials say the discharge has stopped.

Cleanup efforts have begun. Residents are advised to avoid the area. Water samples have been collected for testing. No dead fish have been observed at this time. The Iowa DNR will follow up with the city for further assessment.

To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.

(Radio Iowa) – A new state-by-state report on adult and childhood obesity will be released this week, and Iowa health officials are hoping to see improvement after a poor showing last year. Ellen Compton, a registered dietician with Gundersen Health, says Iowa parents who are packing their kids’ lunches can make eating healthy a priority.

“It just takes a little bit more prep work,” Compton says, “so making sure that you are preparing things like fruits and vegetables in advance and pre-packaging them into little Ziploc bags, having them available and ready, so that you can just grab that from the fridge, instead of something like a bag of chips.” Compton says the same goes for snacks, and rather than letting kids dive into a big bag of munchies, portion out their helpings in advance, and focus on healthy.

“Trail mix is a great one. It helps to keep kids feeling full, and sometimes can add a little sweet treat in there with some chocolate chips, and just making sure that you’re packaging them in appropriate portion sizes,” Compton says, “so typically, following the serving size on the back of the package is a good idea.” She encourages parents to send their kids off to school with a lunch that’s nutritious, and size-appropriate — not too much food, and not too little.

“Make sure that you have your fresh foods in there, like fruits and vegetables, kind of catering a little bit to what your kids like, so they’re more likely to eat what you pack them,” Compton says, “and making sure that there’s some sort of a protein in there. Protein is going to help to keep them feeling fuller for longer.”

Last year’s report from Trust for America’s Health found Iowa’s adult obesity rate held steady at 37-percent. Colorado had the nation’s lowest obesity rate at 25-percent, while West Virginia was highest at 41-percent.

(Radio Iowa) – A group of northern Iowans, including landowners along the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline route, plan to host a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) in Titonka. Bud Jermeland of Forest City says they’ll discuss the options people have when they’re contacted by Summit.

“To know what’s currently happening with the pipeline, to know legal wise what they need to know — if they need to seek legal counsel,” Jermeland says, “questions they need to have answered, options as far as letting their land go to eminent domain and what that process entails.”

In late August, Summit began holding informational meetings in areas where the original pipeline route would be expanded if regulators approve extending the route. Summit will host a meeting in Kossuth County next Monday and in Hancock County this Friday. “It’s an individual choice,” Jermeland says, “but we just want them to know there are options out there.”

Summit will host an informational meeting tonight (Monday) in Buchanan County. Meetings are scheduled for Tuesday in Fayette and Bremer Counties. On Wednesday, Summit’s information meetings will be in Butler and Floyd Counties.

Summit’s project would be the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world and the company’s executives say the pipeline will expand economic opportunities for ethanol producers and for corn farmers.

(Here’s the link to when and where Summit’s informational meetings are being held: https://summitcarbonsolutions.com/iowa-utilities-commission-approves-public-information-meeting-dates-for-summit-carbon-solutions-expansion-counties/)

(Corning, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Adams County, today (Monday), said a man from Carbon (IA) was arrested at around 10:30-p.m. Aug. 30th, for OWI/2nd Offense. 55-year-old Michael Newsome was pulled over on 183rd Street and Highway 148, and upon further investigation, arrested on the OWI charge. Newsome’s breath alcohol content registered .228 (nearly 3x the legal limit). He was transported to the Adams County Jail and released a short-time later after posting a $2,000 cash-only bond.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports six arrests took place between August 30th and Sept. 7th. Two people were arrested on separate assault charges:

• On Aug. 30th, 23-year-old Kaylee Marie Kingery, of Greenfield, was arrested by Greenfield Police, on an Adair County warrant for Simple Assault. Kingery was later released on a $300 bond.
• On Sept. 2nd, Greenfield Police arrested 45-year-old Jose Antonio Garcia Vizcarra, of Omaha, on two counts of Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury. Garcia was arrested following an investigation into an incident whereby a man was reportedly arguing with the clerks at the Greenfield Casey’s Store. According to the Sheriff’s report, Garcia allegedly tried to grab one of the clerks before leaving the store and getting into his SUV which was parked sideways at the gas pumps. Garcia allegedly attempted to run over two civilians. When a deputy arrived on the scene, he observed Garcia revving the engine of his SUV and driving towards the two civilians, one of whom had escorted Garcia out of the store when he became belligerent toward the clerks. Jose Garcia was taken into custody and later released on his Own Recognizance for the Adair County charges, but then turned over to Homeland Security/ICE officials (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) based on a detainer for a previously issued removal order (to be removed from the United States).

Those arrested on drug charges in Adair County include:

• On August 30th: 44-year-old Anthony Pointer, II, of Omaha, was arrested by Stuart Police, following a traffic stop. Pointer was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine/1st offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also cited for No Valid Driver’s License, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability (insurance), and Open Container of Alcohol/driver over the age of 21. Pointer was later released on a $1,000 bond.
• And, on Sept. 7th, Stuart Police arrested 42-year-old Brian Keith Alberts, of Lowell, IN, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st Offense -Cocaine; Poss. of Paraphernalia, and Person Ineligible to carry dangerous weapons. The latter charge was with regard to a loaded .45-caliber Glock handgun that was found in a holster on the passenger seat of Pointer’s vehicle. Pointer was later released on a $1,000 bond.

Others arrested in Adair County, include:

• On August 30th: 39-year-old Jackie Lee Marler, of Thayer (IA), was arrested at the Adair County Sheriff’s Office by the Iowa State Patrol, for Driving While Barred. Marler was later  released on a $2,000 bond. And,
• On Sept. 2nd, 33-year-old Keaton Macdonald Todd, of Peoria, IL, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies at the Adair Kum & Go store, on a charge of Harassment in the 1st Degree. He was arrested following a call about a transient allegedly threatening a female employee with a knife. Keaton was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Vision Atlantic report Elite Octane has pledged a generous donation of $250,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic. Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President said “We deeply appreciate Elite Octane and their significant contributions to the Atlantic and Cass County communities. Their generosity will continue to stimulate and build economic development in our communities.”

Elite Octane’s generosity and forward thinking is bringing this project out of the idea stage and into reality. Nick Bowdish, President & CEO of Elite Octane said “Elite Octane is excited to support Vision Atlantic and its objectives of elevating the community in multiple ways. When Elite Octane was founded in 2017, it had a vision to enhance the agricultural economy, and its success would not have been possible without the overwhelming community support we received. This contribution back to the community is yet another small gesture of our appreciation.”

Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Bid letting for land infrastructure will begin this fall, with construction of all three projects slated to begin late spring of 2025.

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With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $17.9 million has been raised in the past 10 months, over 58% of a $30 million goal. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $12.5 million needed to meet the fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates or visit www.visionatlantic.org.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports three individuals from Council Bluffs were sentenced to federal prison recently, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine:

• George Ormond Rolle, Jr., 51, was sentenced on August 28, 2024, to 210 months in federal prison;
• Joseph Robert Winger, 34, was sentenced on February 23, 2024, to 140 months in federal prison; and
• Linda Clover Winger, 41, was sentenced on April 25, 2024, to 78 months in federal prison.

According to public court documents, Rolle, Joseph Winger, and Linda Winger conspired with each other to distribute methamphetamine in the Council Bluffs metro area in 2023. In July 2023, law enforcement officers received information on a package, containing methamphetamine, that was addressed to a residence in Council Bluffs. Law enforcement officers seized the package and conducted a controlled delivery of the seized package. Rolle and Linda Winger attempted to retrieve the package from the residence and were subsequently taken into custody. Their vehicle was searched and had approximately 76 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, drug ledgers, and more than $4700. Phone messages confirmed the group was working together to pool their money to buy the methamphetamine for distribution in the Council Bluffs metro area.

After completing their term of imprisonment, each individual will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force.

(Radio Iowa) – Webster City will be invaded by the friends and fans of Doodlebugs for the annual celebration of the two-wheeled scooters that begins Wednesday at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. Gerald Huisman of the Doodlebug Committee says they rumbled onto the scene in the 1940s. “Well, a doodlebug is a scooter that was designed and built in Webster City, a former Beam Manufacturing. Some people confuse that. Beam became Franklin manufacturing,” he says. “The Beam Manufacturing that made vacuum sweepers was another facility. They were made from 1946 to 1948.”

More than 40-thousand Doodlebugs were built in Webster City and approximately one-thousand are still running.  “It was originally built with a one-and-a-half horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine, and at the post-war time that Briggs and Stratton couldn’t supply enough engines, and so there were a series of them that were made with Clinton one-and-a-half horsepower engines as well,” Huisman says. 

This is the 38th annual Doodlebug Reunion in Webster City, and Huisman says one of the highlights of the celebration of the Doodlebug this year will be the dedication of a sculpture in the shape of a Doodlebug in downtown Webster City. “They’ve asked us to be part of the ribbon cutting, and it’s on Friday at three o’clock. I talked to our police chief here in town, and he is going to give us a police escort from the fairgrounds to the event. And that’ll become an honor…I’m only guessing we’ll have 40 to 50 doodlebugs riding down to see that sculpture,” Huisman says.

The Doodlebug Reunion runs through Saturday. There is more information about the reunion on the Doodlebug Facebook page or at www.wcdoodlebug.com.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, says Democrats have a long way to go to be competitive in Iowa when it comes to voter registrations. “Republicans are up almost 100,000 more Republicans since 2016,” Pate said. Pate discussed voter data during an appearance this weekend at a fundraiser for Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

“For the first time in my adult life, Republicans outnumber the no-party as well as the Democrats,” Pate said. At the beginning of September, there were nearly 462-thousand “no party” or independent voters in Iowa compared to over 634-thousand active registered Republicans — that’s a difference of over 170-thousand. Pate, who has been Iowa’s top election official for the past seven years, says the number of active Democratic voters in Iowa is down about 85-thousand since 2016. “So when you hear their party chairman claiming they’re on a rebound, they’ve got a long ways to rebound,” Pate said.

Iowa Democratic Party chairwoman Rita Hart has said party registrations in the Democratic column has grown since Kamala Harris became the party’s presidential nominee. According to data on the secretary of state’s website, the number of active Democrats in Iowa grew by about 19-hundred from August 1st to the beginning of September. The number of registered independent or “no party” voters grew the most during the past month — by nearly 85-hundred.