DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Rock Island man was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a machine gun.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, in February 2025, Juwan Attron Johnson, 28, also known as “Chubbs,” possessed a machine gun conversion device. Machine gun conversion devices, commonly referred to as “switches,” convert a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm that fires multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger. Machine gun conversion devices are classified as machine guns under federal law and are illegal to possess. Johnson is also prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he is a felon, including a 2017 conviction for voluntary manslaughter.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Johnson will be required to serve a two-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned a nine-count indictment on December 9, 2025, charging multiple individuals with charges related to a racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit the offense of interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering.

As alleged in the Indictment, the charged Defendants committed thefts of used cooking oil, which can be refined into biodiesel fuel and re-sold. Defendants drove trucks to restaurants and stole and attempted to steal cooking oil from oil collection tanks located at restaurants throughout Iowa, and in Tennessee, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kentucky. Defendants then transported the stolen cooking oil to warehouses in Nevada and Ankeny, Iowa; Lewisburg, Tennessee; Dora, Alabama; and Tipp City, Ohio. Defendants subsequently sold the stolen cooking oil and laundered the proceeds.

The following individuals are charged in the Indictment:

• Tianzhu Chen, 33, of Flushing, New York, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, and two counts of money laundering.
• Jingliu Chen, 55, of Flushing, New York, is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Yong Chen, 32, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
• Xian Quan Guo, 48, of Des Moines, Iowa, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Jianfa Huang, of Des Moines, Iowa, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
• Fukang Wang, 37, of Staten Island, New York, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Futao Wang, 36, of Des Moines, Iowa, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
• Jie Wang, 30, of Dayton, Ohio, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Xiangjing Wang, 34, of Des Moines, Iowa, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
• Danrong Zhang, 38, of Flushing, New York, is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate and money laundering.
• Changxu Zou, 41, of Tulia, Texas, is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Changyu Zou, 38, of Edmond, Oklahoma, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Wenrong Zou, 32, of Edmond, Oklahoma, is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate

In connection with the case, federal search warrants and arrest warrants were executed today in Iowa, Ohio, New York, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Xian Quan Guo, Jianfa Huang, Futao Wang, and Xiangjing Wang made their initial court appearances today before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Trial was set for February 2, 2026. The remaining defendants will make their initial court appearances in the Southern District of Iowa on later dates.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Central Iowa Gang Task Force of the FBI Des Moines Resident Agency of the Omaha Field Office is investigating this case, with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; Des Moines Police Department; West Des Moines Police Department; Iowa Department of Public Safety; Iowa Department of Transportation; Gahanna, Ohio Police Department; Cullman, Alabama Police Department; Springfield, Illinois, Police Department; 18th Judicial District Drug Task Force in Tennessee; FBI Dayton Resident Agency of the Cincinnati Field Office; FBI Lexington Resident Agency of the Springfield Field Office; FBI Oklahoma City Field Office; FBI New York City Field Office; FBI Birmingham Field Office; FBI Amarillo Resident Agency of the Dallas Field Office; FBI Language Services; and the Environmental Protection Agency.

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

(Red Oak, IA) – Officials with Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH + Clinics) say they are pleased to announce that their rehabilitation services will transition from being operated by Rehab Visions of Omaha to being operated locally by MCMH. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the change at its October 29 meeting.

Officials say the transition strengthens MCMH+Clincis’ commitment to keeping high-quality care local, aligned, and responsive to the needs of their patients and community. Importantly, patients will continue receiving exceptional care from the same trusted therapists they know, as all current Rehab Visions staff will become MCMH employees on January 1, 2026. MCMH will continue offering Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology to both inpatients and outpatients.

Rehab Visions will transition to MCMH Rehab Services, with all services continuing in the same location inside MCMH. This seamless shift preserves continuity for patients while allowing MCMH to grow and enhance therapy services in the years ahead. MCMH CEO Ron Kloewer says “We are excited to welcome our talented rehabilitation team as MCMH employees,” said. This transition isn’t about fixing something broken—it’s about building on an already strong foundation to better serve our community.

“They have been part of MCMH for decades, but being an MCMH employee is something special and I am thrilled with their eagerness to make this transition. The staff will keep their seniority and be eligible for all the MCMH benefits. To all the MCMH Rehab Services staff… WELCOME!”

Kim Roberts, Rehab Services Manager and Physical Therapist adds, “It feels like we have been a part of the MCMH family for a long time, and we are excited to now make that connection official. We remain committed to delivering high-quality, respectful care to our patients, and we look forward to growing and strengthening the department as part of
MCMH.”

The transition will take place over the next two months, with continued communication and opportunities for staff and community input.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests took place between Dec. 4th and Dec. 8th, 2025:

On December 4th, deputies arrested 21-year-old John Mark Topham, of Griswold, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for two counts of Nuisance – Obstructing Land Passage. Topham was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on bond.

On December 5th, 20-year-old Logan James McNeil, of Harlan, was arrested on the charge of Disorderly Conduct-Fight/Violent. McNeil was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was book and later released on bond.

And, on December 8th, Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 21-year-old Elias Isaac Beasley, of Harlan, for OWI-1st Offense. Beasley was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on his own recognizance.

(Radio Iowa) – Terry Branstad — the nation’s longest serving governor — is the 26th recipient of the state’s highest citizen honor. Governor Kim Reynolds presented Branstad with the “Iowa Award” medal today (Thursday) during a ceremony in the Iowa Capitol’s rotunda. “His imprint on our state is simply unmatched,” Reynolds said.

Branstad, who is 79, was a member of the Iowa House and served one term as lieutenant governor before he was elected governor in 1982. He served more than 22 years as governor — and left office in 2017 after President Trump appointed him U-S Ambassador to China. “I want to thank you, the people of Iowa. You are a wonderful, caring, thoughtful, friendly group of people and it’s an honor to serve,” Brantad said. “Thank you very much.”

Branstad paid tribute to his family and influential teachers in his hometown as well as legislators and state employees who served during his five-and-a-half terms as governor. “Looking back after all these years I’m proud that we accomplished so much working the Iowa legislature, which most of the time that I was governor was controlled by the other party,” Branstad said, “but we were able to get a lot done and I’m really proud of the fact we were able to find workable solutions that Iowans appreciated.”

Governor Reynolds, who Branstad chose as his lieutenant governor when he returned to office in 2011, has arranged for a 36 mile section of Highway 9 to be named in Branstad’s honor. “This stretch of highway passes through Winnebago and Worth Counties, including Forest City, Hanlontown and Thompson,” Reynolds said, “and its midpoint is Leland, where you were born and raised.” Getting rid of the curbs and gutters on Highway 9 — which was only 18 feet wide — was an issue in Branstad’s first campaign for office in 1972.

“Finally he said: ‘If I’m elected, I’ll raise hell every chance I get to see what can be done,'” Reynolds said. “…In 1985 on one of the coldest days of the year (Governor Branstad attended the dedication of the newly completed Highway 9 project. He remarked: ‘Well, they said, “It’d be a cold day in hell if this road ever got fixed,” and I guess they were right. It’s a cold day in hell and it got fixed.'” The crowd laughed and applauded.

The D-O-T will be installing signs that say the 36 mile portion of Highway 9 is “Dedicated to Governor Terry Branstad” and Reynolds says the signs should be posted by Christmas.