COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA -Three people were sentenced to anywhere from two- to a little more than four years in prison last Friday in U-S District Court in Council Bluffs, for their role in the distribution of muscle building drugs. 31-year old Jeffrey B. Lackas, of Bettendorf, 39-year old Stanley Szeto, of Iowa City, and 30-year old Daniel Cruz-Bonilla, of Fontana, CA., were sentenced for conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.

Lackas, Szeto, and Cruz-Bonilla were members of a drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of anabolic steroids and human-growth hormones throughout the country. Between July of 2011, and March of 2015, the organization operated under the internet name of “Brinkkmann Pharma,” and the defendants distributed anabolic steroids and human- growth hormones obtained from a source in China.

Lackas was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Szeto was sentenced to 25 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and imposed a $6,000 fine. Cruz-Bonilla was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Each defendant was ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The Omaha Police Department in Nebraska, Douglas County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement, Nebraska State Patrol, Iowa City Police Department, United States Border Patrol, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office says three people were arrested over the weekend on drug and other charges. Saturday evening, Deputy Landon White arrested Joshua Kenichi Burgess for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Burgess was also cited for speeding following a traffic stop on Highway 25, south of Clearfield. During the investigation, K9 “Heky” was deployed, and alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 1.8-grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Yesterday (Sunday), Brandon Scott Baran, and Chenell Renee Martinez were arrested at around 1:45-p.m., following an investigation into a reported suspicious vehicle at the park in Benton (IA). Upon arriving and making contact with one of the individuals, Deputy White learned they were listed as a missing person from Colorado. The vehicle was also listed as possibly stolen from Colorado.

While the information was being confirmed, the K9 Heky was deployed and alerted to narcotics in the vehicle. Once the information concerning the missing person and stolen vehicle was confirmed, Baran and Martinez were placed under arrest.

The investigation led to finding several items identified as stolen property, including: credit cards; Driver’s license ID cards; a laptop computer; and many more items. Authorities say the string of thefts appears to have spanned at least three states, including Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa. Baran and Martinez faces charges that include: Possession of Meth with the intent to deliver (5 grams); Possession of stolen property (motor vehicle); Possession of stolen property worth more than $1,000 but less than $5,000; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Burglary tools; Possession of prescription drugs not prescribed for the suspects, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Drugs, including marijuana and methamphetamine were seized, along with dozens of marijuana and meth pipes. The investigation continues, as the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office makes contact with other agencies and confirms seized property as stolen from other jurisdictions.

In an update to our weekend report, the Iowa State Patrol says two people were injured during an accident early Saturday morning, in Shelby County. The accident happened on Highway 59, south of Earling, at around 1:40-a.m., when a 2004 Cadillac driven by 34-year-old Manuel Jimez Perez, of Des Moines, crossed the center line as the vehicle was traveling southbound. 21-year-old Bradley Flogstad, of Holstein, who was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt northbound, tried to avoid colliding with the Cadillac, but his car was struck on the driver’s side door.  The Cadillac continued south into the east ditch where it rolled onto its top. Flogstad’s vehicle came to rest on its wheels, in the east ditch.

Officials say Perez was trapped inside the car and had to be extracted by mechanical means. He was transported to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan and then life-flighted to UNMC in Omaha. A report on his condition was not released. Flogstad was transported to Myrtue Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is now distributing the 2017-2018 Iowa Bicycle Map. The popular publication has been updated to show new 4-foot or wider paved shoulders and recreational trails completed since the 2015-2016 version was published. As in past versions, the map highlights bike-friendly routes when traveling on two wheels through Iowa by identifying bike trails and traffic levels on all paved roads. The map also includes insets of Iowa’s 16 largest cities.    

A person riding a bicycle on a public road has all the rights, and is required to know and obey all traffic laws and rules of the road, applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle. To assist bicyclists in understanding their rights and responsibilities, a section of the map is dedicated to highlighting rules of the road. Bicyclists are urged to always wear helmets, use lights at night, and watch out for road hazards, including parallel-slat sewer grates, gravel, sand, and debris.

The 2017-2018 Iowa Bicycle Map is available online at  www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes/bikemap.aspx.

A Council Bluffs man, 35-year old Hubert Theodore Carter, III, was sentenced Friday to 27 months in prison for bank robbery. Carter was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.

On January 27th, 2017, Carter entered the U.P. Connection Federal Credit Union and handed a teller a handwritten note stating he had a firearm, and instructed the teller to fill a bag with money. Carter left the credit union with approximately $3,500 and was quickly apprehended with the stolen money by the Council Bluffs Police Department.

The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports the arrest on July 26th, of 45-year old Verlyn Duane Richardson, and 44-year old Raleann Irene Schnell, both of Audubon.  Both were charged with Trespassing, Criminal Mischief-5th, and Theft 5th.  They transported to the Audubon County Jail and held pending an appearance before a magistrate.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports several recent arrests, with three individuals receiving citations and then released at the scene. According to the report, 37-year old Michael Lynne Huddleson, of Fontanelle, was arrested July 24th by Greenfield Police, for operating a motorcycle while his license was denied or revoked due to an OWI. Huddleson was released on his own recognizance the next day, by a magistrate.

65-year old Russell Wayne Cowling, of Orient, was arrested, cited and subsequently released by Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies on July 24th, for Harassment in the 1st degree. On July 25th, 27-year old Lukus Jamal Garner, of Des Moines, was arrested, cited and then released by a Sheriff’s Deputy, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. And, 45-year old Bobby Agan, of Stuart, was arrested, cited July 27th and then released, for Driving Under Suspension.

Late last Friday morning, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 23-year old Alaina Noel Goddard, of Des Moines, for OWI/2nd offense, Use of an Electronic Communication Device, and having no insurance. She was also cited for Driving While Suspended, and Failure to Maintain Control. She was taken into custody following an investigation into an accident that took place at around the 84.5-mile marker of Interstate 80 westbound. When the Trooper approached the scene, Goddard was walking away from her pickup truck. The report said as he spoke with her, the Trooper noticed Goddard could not sit still, was speaking rapidly and had dilated pupils. The woman said thought she was on the south side of Des Moines, and that the accident happened because she was on her phone. Goddard was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

And, Saturday night, authorities in Adair County arrested in Orient, 26-year old James Michael Norris, of Kent, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana -1st offense. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop for speeding. Norris was released from the Adair County Jail later that night on a $1,000 cash bond or surety.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County report the arrest Saturday afternoon, of 53-year old Allen Glen Milligan, of Creston. Milligan was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Clay County, Missouri warrant for DWI.  Milligan was being held in the Union County Jail, while awaiting extradition to Missouri.

And, a Creston woman reported to the Union County Sheriff’s Office Sunday afternoon, that sometime the night before, someone stole two bicycles from her back yard in the 1400 block of 238th Street. The bicycles are both 20” Mongoose brand. One is all chrome with gold pegs and white grips, and the other is charcoal black with red rims and black pegs.  The loss was estimated at $1,300.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a report on arrests conducted over the weekend. Authorities say 31-year old Corey Stephens, of Oakland, was arrested Sunday on a 5th Degree charge, for allegedly stealing things from the back of his sister’s truck, such as a minnow bucket and tackle box. The items were located inside his vehicle. Stephens was also wanted on a warrant for failure to appear in court.

Sheriff’s officials say 33-year old Jeremy Harriman, of Avoca, was arrested Sunday for Criminal Mischief 5th degree, for allegedly breaking the glass on a basement door at 101 North Chestnut, in Avoca.  Harriman, who was described as being a transient, was living in a garage adjacent to the home. He’s alleged to have entered the residence after breaking the door glass, and used the home to shower and wash his clothes. Authorities says Harriman had previously received permission to do so. He was transported to Pott. County Corrections and held on a $300 bond.

Authorities say 43-year old Jessica Pohlman, of Minden, was arrested Sunday, as well. She was taken into custody following an investigation into a hit-and-run injury accident at 290th and Highway 6. She fled the scene but was located at Juniper and 290th. Her vehicle had heavy front-end damage. Pohlman was charged with OWI 1st Offense and Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident. The Sheriff’s Office says also, 47-year old Kristi Luttrell, of Omaha, was arrested Sunday, for Domestic Assault with Injury.

42-year old Christine Rouse, of Council Bluffs, was arrested by Pott. County Deputies Saturday on warrants for two counts of Child Endangerment. Rouse was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail and held on a $5,000 bond. 30-year old Robert Hackwell, of Walnut, was arrested Saturday, also. He was taken into custody for Domestic Assault following a physical disturbance at a home in the 400 block of Atlantic Street, in Walnut.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A decade after a deadly freeway bridge collapse in Minneapolis, a study has found that thousands of Iowa’s bridges are deemed structurally deficient. The Des Moines Register reports that a study released in February by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association found that almost 5,000 of the state’s more than 24,000 bridges are rated as structurally deficient. That means one of the bridge’s key elements – such as the deck, superstructure or substructure- is in poor or worse condition. Most of those bridges are in rural areas and farming communities that see relatively low traffic.

State officials say a 10-cent-per-gallon state fuel tax increase enacted in 2015 will help fund improvements. The tax generates about $200 million for state and local road and bridge projects.