DES MOINES, Iowa – On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the final defendant in a multi-Indictment, 17-defendant gang investigation involving the Only My Brothers (OMB) street gang was sentenced to federal prison. All 17 defendants had previously pled guilty or been found guilty following a jury trial. The defendants were charged with various crimes in federal court, including RICO conspiracy, fentanyl distribution, possessing machineguns, straw purchasing firearms, firearms trafficking, and illegally possessing firearms.

According to public court documents and evidence presented in court, the charged defendants were members and associates of a criminal organization or Enterprise known as “Only My Brothers” or “OMB.” OMB originated in early- to mid-2021. Prior to that, some members and associates of OMB referred to themselves as various other names, including C-Block, 600, East Side Crips, Crips, and Gangster Disciples. From at least 2021, and continuing until their arrests, OMB’s members and associates engaged in a plethora of criminal activity in an attempt to earn and maintain respect in the neighborhood. This included attempted murders, including at least 30 gang-related shootings, the distribution of over 22 kilograms of fentanyl, as well as a number of convenience store armed robberies in the Des Moines metro.

Some of the shootings OMB has been held responsible for include a November 2021 shooting at a celebration of life party being held at a residence in Des Moines, Iowa; a second November 2021 shooting at a residence on Southeast 9th Street in Des Moines, during which over 20 shots were fired; a February 2022 shooting in and around Good Park in Des Moines; an April 2022 shooting at a rival gang member’s home in Des Moines, during which over 70 shots were fired; a July 2022 shooting at an apartment complex in Sixth Avenue in Des Moines, during which at least 40 shots were fired; an August 2022 shooting at a residence on 23rd Street in Des Moines; and an August 2022 shooting at an apartment complex on Southeast 22nd Street in Des Moines, during which over 36 shots were fired.

In order to obtain the firearms used to commit their criminal activity, OMB utilized a network of firearms straw purchasers, most of whom were drug customers or family members of the OMB members. This included Dawn Ellease Robinson, who purchased guns for her son, OMB member Santiz Langford. Langford then either personally used the guns himself to conduct OMB activity, or he trafficked the guns to other OMB members. One of those guns was later found in the possession of a victim in the January 2023 Starts Right Here double homicide in Des Moines. Deon Cooper, Langford’s sister, also straw purchased firearms for Langford, and Johnetta Strode, OMB member Deadrian Nelson’s mother, straw purchased firearms for Nelson.

The straw purchasers purchased guns for the OMB members, who then used those guns to commit violent acts against rival gang members and other victims. OMB members and associates were also prolific possessors of machinegun conversion devices (also known as automatic selector switches). These devices convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic firearms and are considered machineguns under federal law. During the investigation, law enforcement was able to identify over 90 guns involved in the OMB-involved shootings, with over 70 of the involved guns seized.

The defendants involved in this investigation include:

• Awot Tsegaye Baliho, 23, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment.
• Armani Eugene Gates, 21, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, two counts of conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and was sentenced to 276 months’ imprisonment.
• Bakier Mohamd Esmaeil, 20, pled guilty to one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment.
• Dontavius Rashaun Sharkey, 28, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of straw purchasing conspiracy, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machinegun, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and supervised release violations, and was sentenced to 384 months’ imprisonment.
• Deadrian Maurice Nelson, 20, pled guilty to two counts of being a felon and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment.
• Johnetta Marie Strode, 37, pled guilty to straw purchasing conspiracy, and two counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment.
• Christopher Scott Eason, 43, pled guilty to false statement during purchase of a firearm, and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.
• Raleigh John Potter, 30, pled guilty to false statement during purchase of a firearm and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment.
• Deon Ellease Cooper, 28, pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy, false statement during purchase of a firearm, straw purchasing conspiracy, and straw purchasing of a firearm, and was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment.
• Dawn Ellease Robinson, 45, pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy, straw purchasing conspiracy, straw purchasing of a firearm, and two counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment.
• Avontae Lamar Tucker, 21, pled guilty in two federal cases to racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, two counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition, two counts of interference with commerce through robbery, and two counts of brandishing and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He was sentenced to 444 months’ imprisonment.
• Santiz Cortez Langford, 21, pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, two counts of straw purchasing conspiracy, two counts of firearms trafficking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, illegal possession of a machinegun, and two counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to 295 months’ imprisonment.
• Semaj Johnson, 20, pled guilty under two separate cases to illegal possession of a machinegun, racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, firearms trafficking conspiracy, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and was sentenced to 211 months’ imprisonment.
• Majok Majok, 20, pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, firearms trafficking conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and illegal possession of a machinegun, and was sentenced to 195 months’ imprisonment.
• Trent Douglas Brown Jr., 20, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment.
• Dahaba Bahari Lula, 20, pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment.
• Derrick Dwayne Smith, 41, pled guilty to four counts of false statement during purchase of a firearm, and was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin Herrera and Mallory Weiser prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Des Moines Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Honduran citizen was sentenced today to six months in federal prison for illegally returning to the United States after being deported.

According to public court documents, Francisco Antonio Santos Martinez, 35, had previously been deported three times from the United States. In February 2024, Minnesota law enforcement encountered Santos Martinez when he was arrested for disorderly conduct. He was released from Minnesota state custody. In August 2024, Santos Martinez was encountered by Iowa law enforcement and later convicted for public intoxication in the Iowa District Court for Polk County.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Santos Martinez will be surrendered to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings and will also be required to serve a one-year term of supervised release.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is hosting a Women’s History Month Celebration. The event takes place at the Broadway Christian Church of the Disciples in Council Bluffs, on Friday, March 7th, from 8-a.m. until 3-p.m.  It includes presentations from experts in the field of women’s wellness and brain health.

Approximately two-thirds of people with Alzheimer’s disease are women, and women over the age of 65 are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as men. Women are also more likely to be the primary caregiver for a loved one living with the disease. To honor all the women facing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting this event to spread awareness about the disease and provide tips and resources to help all those who attend better care for themselves and their loved ones.

Here are some of the presentations that are part of the event program:

·       Stress and Brain Health Research presented by Dr. Juliana Talarico, University of Iowa College of Nursing

·       How Women Make a Difference – Together by Brenda Mainwaring, Iowa West Foundation

·       Empowering Women: Strengthening Self-Assurance and Championing Justice Through Advocacy presented by Nelcy Vargas, Catholic Charities, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program

·       Jet Setting to Greatness presented by Dr. Keisha Bradford, Doctors for America

·       Safe Exercises Throughout the Day presented by Lois Turner, YMCA Health Living Center

To register for the virtual community forum, visit tinyurl.com/AlzWHMC2025.

Today, there are nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including over 62,000 in Iowa. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends are serving as caregivers, including nearly 100,000 in Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – The Sixth Judicial District that covers six counties in eastern Iowa is using a new technology to address its shortage of the court reporters. Crystal Beaman is a “Voice Writer” court reporter and tells K-C-R-G T-V she talks into a microphone to dictate what’s happening through a software program instead of typing it on a traditional steno-type machine. “I like being in the courtroom, I like hearing arguments, I like the process,” she says. Certification for a voice writer takes half the time of a stenographer. Kelle Cortez hired Beaman after state lawmakers made it possible for “voice writers” to be court reporters. “It’s a slow process because Iowa was the last, I believe there were only four states in the country that didn’t recognize voice writer,” Cortez says, “we were kind of late to the party.”

Photo via National Verbatim Reporters Assoc.org (Court reporter using a “Voice Writer”-type dictation system.

There are 20 court reporter positions in the sixth district and only eight are filled, which causes scheduling issues. “We have to prioritize cases and balance that with the resources that we have,” she says. “When it comes to the court reporter shortage that we have, that has huge impacts on scheduling.” There are two candidates about to finish the “voice writing” program. Beaman tells K-C-R-G T-V part of what she is doing is showing that this new technology isn’t going to be a distraction in the courtroom. “We want to be a good court reporter, and we want to be a good representative of what we do,” Beaman says.

The sixth judicial district includes Linn, Johnson, Iowa Tama, Jones, and Benton Counties.

A brand-new, one-of-a-kind STEM camp, Camp Invention, is coming to Atlantic this summer! Camp Invention is a weeklong STEM program that introduces K-6 students to the joy of hands-on invention and helps them develop an innovative mindset with confidence, creativity and collaboration skills. At this camp, students will learn about the arts, entrepreneurship and more through engaging experiences and real-world problem solving. Facilitated by Camp Director, Macie Harringa (K-8 Computer Science Instructor at Atlantic Community Schools), Camp Invention will have children taking on a variety of exhilarating activities each day, encouraging children have fun collaborating with friends, thinking creatively and inventing their own solutions to real-world challenges.

“I am so excited to be able to bring Camp Invention to Atlantic, alongside a crew of other educators, volunteer parents and community members who will help make this unique camp come to life and run smoothly for the week in June,” said Camp Director, Macie Harringa. “The campers will explore a variety of facets of STEM through hands-on learning during each day of camp, and they will bring home their invention creations each day.”

Camp Invention will ignite the imagination of campers with an adventure full of inspiration, innovation and unforgettable discoveries. During this action-packed, confidence-boosting program, young innovators will:
● Make their own personalized claw machine complete with one-of-a-kind prizes as they discover hands-on physics, explore animals with claws and become entrepreneurs
● Uncover the science behind optical illusions in art, movies, theater and animation, designing and testing various illusions and inventing moving props to become special effects experts
● Rev up for the ultimate road trip complete with a transmitter and receiver, custom dashboard and travel map, choosing their own path and inventing their way out of bumps in the road
● Embark on an epic eco-expedition to investigate penguins and the ice and snow of Antarctica, developing penguin and planet-saving prototypes with the help of a robotic assistant. (Photos courtesy Jessie Shiels)

Camp Invention will be held in Atlantic at Washington Elementary School from 9AM – 3PM, June 23-27, 2025. The all-inclusive cost for the program (materials and all!) is $275 per child.

“Because of our generous camp sponsors Camblin Mechanical, Duke Rentals, Atlantic Rotary and Troy Hepler, we are able to offer scholarships for students that want to attend camp but may face a financial hurdle,” stated Harringa. “From the start, it was important to myself and camp volunteers that Camp Invention was attainable for all area youth, so being able to offer financial scholarships for kids is something we’re very excited about.”

To learn more about Camp Invention, apply for a scholarship or sign a student up, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/atlanticcampinvention or email Macie at mharringa@atlanticiaschools.org.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that would remove Medicaid income and asset limits for Iowans with disabilities who work has passed out of House and Senate subcommittees — with bipartisan support. Iowans with disabilities have been asking lawmakers to remove the Medicaid income limits that keep them from advancing in their careers. If they get a raise, they risk losing coverage for essential services like personal care attendants to get them out of bed in the morning. Sherri Joshua of Waterloo says she’d never be able to afford her medication without government assistance.

“I am educated. I want to be part of the community, but I don’t want to sacrifice health and wellness to do that and this bill will give me the ability to at least strive for something beyond living in poverty,” she said.

The Republican chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee says the cost of the program will be a factor as conversations about the bill continue.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Sheriff’s of Shelby and Audubon Counties are warning the public about on-going scams targeting the elderly. Shelby County Sheriff Neil Gross says his office was made aware Tuesday (Feb. 24th), about a possible scam, whereby a resident of the County was contacted by someone who informed the elderly person that their grandchild or child had been involved in an accident, and had hurt someone, and was currently in the custody of law enforcement. The person advised that the young person needed bail money to get out of jail, and they would send someone to the residence to receive the funds.

Gross said this is a common story being used in the scams. In this case, the suspect did pick up the money from the residence, but with the assistance of the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, the individual was arrested, and the cash was taken back by law enforcement. It was also discovered that the suspect was staying in a Guthrie County motel, and was driving a rental vehicle. Sheriff Gross said there is a ring of individuals who are perpetrating the scam in Shelby, and other counties.

He asks you to please contact your elderly parents or grandparents and spread the word. If you receive a call similar to the scam mentioned, contact law enforcement immediately. In some cases, Sheriff Gross says, the scammer will ask you to stay on the phone with them during the incident. If that happens, use another line or text a friend to call law enforcement for you. Authorities will come to the residence immediately, in an attempt to stop the scam, and possibly apprehend the suspect.  If you have any doubts about handing over money to someone you do not know, please call your local sheriff’s office for guidance.

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to the public regarding a similar, ongoing scam, in which fraudsters posing as bail bondsmen use high-pressure tactics, demand immediate payment via cash, wire transfer, or gift cards, and sometimes even send someone to collect the funds in person. In many cases, they impersonate law enforcement officers, attorneys, or court officials to make the scam appear legitimate.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors approved several, administrative matters during their meeting this (Wednesday) morning, in Greenfield. The Board approved the annual renewal of insurance-related documents. Auditor Mandy Berg…

The Board tables approval of an agreement with Access Systems for an IT (Information Technology) Care Assessment, until other department heads can consult with Mandy Berg and provide their input. When approved, the sign-on fee would be $500, according to Berg. The Board passed three resolutions regarding to:

• Changing the Subscription-based IT agreement policy
• Changing the Fixed Asset Capitalization policy, and
• A Right-to-Use Lease Asset Policy.

Information on the remaining agenda items was not immediately available due to a technical issue at the courthouse in Greenfield.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, this (Wednesday) morning, arrested a man on a Theft charge. 46-year-old Keith Benard Johnson, Jr., of Red Oak, was arrested at around 8-a.m. in the 300 block of 2nd Avenue, in Red Oak. Johnson was charged with Theft in the 5th Degree. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s second-largest city is pausing its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, following a recent presidential executive order threatening to withhold federal funds from recipients that continue to run D-E-I programs. Cedar Rapids uses more than 306-million dollars in federal grants for services like transportation, law enforcement, and flood control. Anthony Arrington is a board member of the local chapter of the nonprofit group Advocates for Social Justice.

“We are losing the opportunity to create synergies and a sense of belonging in our community that we said matter to us. Whatever investments they had in this department are gone,” Arrington says, “and so that money, that resource and that time can’t be expended.” Arrington questions whether the city really supported the program’s goals.  “Do you care about black and brown and biracial and LGBTQ and low-income and the poor and disabled and military veterans? Do you care about them like you say, or does the money matter?” he says. “And what money, because you haven’t lost anything yet. So, what are you afraid of?”

Arrington wishes the city had expressed more opposition to the executive orders. He says the city pausing the program for fear of losing federal funding was premature.