22-year-old Michah David Meloccaro of Woodbine was sentenced on Friday (Feb. 15, 2013) on the charge of unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.  US District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Meloccaro to 30 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Meloccaro also had to forfeit two shotguns and ammunition he possessed and was ordered to pay $100 the the Crime Victim Fund.  Meloccaro is currently on release pending his serving location designation.

Meloccaro had plead guilty to the charge which arose out of an emergency medical call to his residence in Woodbine.  Meloccaro had accidently shot a friend at close range with a 12-guage shotgun.  The victim is currently recovering.  During response to that incident Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a marijuana growing operation at Meloccaro’s residence.  As part of his federal plea agreement Melocarro must also plead guilty in District Court to manufacturing marijuana.

The investigation was conducted by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Harrison County Attorney’s Office also aided in this case, which was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.