COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A Council Bluffs man, 43-year-old Mitchell Wayne Bochnicek, was sentenced December 8th in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to serve 120 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Bochnicek pleaded guilty to the offense on September 2, 2021.

On January 21, 2021, Bochnicek was stopped by law enforcement regarding his vehicle bearing an incorrect registration plate. After attempting to identify Bochnicek, the officer performed a pat down and located a scale in his pocket. The officer then located methamphetamine, baggies, a scale, a loaded firearm, and $1,392 inside the vehicle. Bochnicek admitted the methamphetamine and the paraphernalia belonged to him.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.