Score:   1
Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-cr-00061
Case Name:   USA v. Merrett et al
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15NhvfjwyOGQALkFzr37LqePeM40Hqmrz6EYvP3Bs_GM
  Last Updated: 2024-03-11 08:16:30 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00163
Case Name:   USA v. Frencher Jr.
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cnn6roWJ0Poxc8ITUHPxz_xQe5nOzOVnmdIY90pATMo
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:48:47 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00164
Case Name:   USA v. Hunt
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D3EGW8xhCT4QRuMl7ZELk9U_2DY30bPyQFNS04E13vw
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:48:50 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00165
Case Name:   USA v. Smith
Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_VgieT_qQL7fC7b_UCtJPTRqm4u91jdlTtkcgzy4Gqg
  Last Updated: 2023-10-13 03:16:39 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00166
Case Name:   USA v. Adair Jr.
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10yee36YQSwJ5XgSW_5HGLOjAR4GB2HwgFI5Y9bbVIgU
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:48:53 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00167
Case Name:   USA v. Sanchez Jr.
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QOuVFd5LsPtaiaOmmxOEtwaA2Rs-o3XTM9yFXE_AArQ
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:48:56 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00168
Case Name:   USA v. Taylor Jr.
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13o3ny-BNZo_tmt3x4P0ygoblU2eKtaylhxSQ719dAlg
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:48:59 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00169
Case Name:   USA v. Booker
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hp3Nx2OvCwIsoElwR0Q7ePUCAiJz7VhDZGOuK7JPMX0
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:49:02 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00170
Case Name:   USA v. Pope
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qRtXyw6gltOFin_SrNXouTouQtd2F0hK6wf15ao1FaA
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:49:05 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00171
Case Name:   USA v. Cooper Jr.
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iXEv9rGAlkYBcGrcIzyaNeClYfSRJVKCRF3Zjka6wX4
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:49:08 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00172
Case Name:   USA v. Burgs
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1brXeQwpZyWaBZfp8P3vbYrB6pp9eu1snWauQODarlBA
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:49:11 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00173
Case Name:   USA v. Taylor
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OlrjUWBsPxRNZKbgJvfTQOiQRJetWyLPbYYoQjmYoSo
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:49:14 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The number of days from the earlier of filing date or first appearance date to proceeding date
Format: N3

Description: The number of days from proceeding date to disposition date
Format: N3

Description: The number of days from disposition date to sentencing date
Format: N3

Description: The code of the district office where the case was terminated
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant at the time the case was closed
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense that carried the most severe disposition and penalty under which the defendant was disposed
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with TTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with TTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with TTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with TTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The code indicating the nature or type of disposition associated with TTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The number of months a defendant was sentenced to prison under TTITLE1
Format: N4

Description: The number of months of probation imposed upon a defendant under TTITLE1
Format: N4

Description: A period of supervised release imposed upon a defendant under TTITLE1
Format: N3

Description: The fine imposed upon the defendant at sentencing under TTITLE1
Format: N8

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense under which the defendant was disposed that carried the second most severe disposition and penalty
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with TTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with TTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with TTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with TTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The code indicating the nature or type of disposition associated with TTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The number of months a defendant was sentenced to prison under TTITLE2
Format: N4

Description: The number of months of probation imposed upon a defendant under TTITLE2
Format: N4

Description: A period of supervised release imposed upon a defendant under TTITLE2
Format: N3

Description: The fine imposed upon the defendant at sentencing under TTITLE2
Format: N8

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense under which the defendant was disposed that carried the third most severe disposition and penalty
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with TTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with TTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with TTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with TTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The code indicating the nature or type of disposition associated with TTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The number of months a defendant was sentenced to prison under TTITLE3
Format: N4

Description: The number of months of probation imposed upon a defendant under TTITLE3
Format: N4

Description: A period of supervised release imposed upon a defendant under TTITLE3
Format: N3

Description: The fine imposed upon the defendant at sentencing under TTITLE3
Format: N8

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense under which the defendant was disposed that carried the fourth most severe disposition and Penalty
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with TTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with TTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with TTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with TTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The code indicating the nature or type of disposition associated with TTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The number of months a defendant was sentenced to prison under TTITLE4
Format: N4

Description: The number of months of probation imposed upon a defendant under TTITLE4
Format: N4

Description: A period of supervised release imposed upon a defendant under TTITLE4
Format: N3

Description: The fine imposed upon the defendant at sentencing under TTITLE4
Format: N8

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00174
Case Name:   USA v. Castelline
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZKVRAmaoiBYvMzGw3z_lDwVhzautj3SRpZ1QPMB2MH8
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:49:17 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00241
Case Name:   USA v. Jackson
Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EZfs9u83mxFdy1YFeoThKxsacP6DJfHGz1VxCZne1-k
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:49:38 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00161
Case Name:   USA v. Merrett
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/176pUquJ0P60EQWFrC5jIhPpQxC8SoKHOSomUkMppvrk
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:48:42 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00160
Case Name:   USA v. Merrett
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Lw3Vxe4rwTVLknSXPDOo-Hc7YBgDRffVRvKoUrWRWHM
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:48:38 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-IA  4:19-mj-00162
Case Name:   USA v. Frencher
  Press Releases:
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fifteen defendants are facing criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang and associated cocaine trafficking organization. Criminal complaints unsealed in the United States District Court in Des Moines charge fifteen defendants with federal drug and firearms offenses. Many of the federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and preliminary and detention hearings will be held early next week. One other defendant, William Charles Gray, was charged in a state complaint and will make appearance in Polk County Criminal Court.

The charges were announced by Marc Krickbaum, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa; Randall Thysse, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Omaha Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; John P. Sarcone, Polk County Attorney; and Dana Wingert, Chief of Police of the Des Moines Police Department, following a long term investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, which included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; and the Altoona Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell and Adam Kerndt represent the government.

Fifteen federal defendants are charged across two complaint affidavits, stemming from a months-long investigation of the Des Moines-based C-Block criminal street gang. The primary complaint (Case Nos. 4:19-MJ-161 through 174) alleges that DAERON MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; MARSHAUN MERRETT, 31, of Des Moines; and BARRY ADAIR, JR., 29, of Des Moines, constitute the leadership of C-Block, a criminal street gang based in Des Moines. The complaint describes C-Block’s involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, particularly the distribution of cocaine in the Des Moines area. In December 2018, law enforcement obtained court authorization to intercept telephone communications of JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER, 26, of Des Moines, who was receiving cocaine from DAERON MERRETT for redistribution in Des Moines. Law enforcement later received court authorization to intercept telephone communications of DAERON MERRETT himself, leading to further identification of his cocaine trafficking network. The primary complaint alleges, in late January 2019, DAERON MERRETT and MARCUS HUNT, 37, of Des Moines, began traveling to the Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana areas to obtain cocaine for distribution in Des Moines. CORDNEY SMITH, 43, of Gary, Indiana, is alleged to have brokered at least four drug transactions for DAERON MERRETT and HUNT, who obtained over 500 grams of cocaine for distribution in Des Moines.

The complaint identifies additional customers and redistributors of cocaine who have been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution:

• FREDDIE FRENCHER, JR., 28, of Des Moines

• JOSE ANTONIO SANCHEZ, JR., 25, of Des Moines

• CONRAD FRED TAYLOR, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• JHAMEL DONTA BOOKER, 35, of Des Moines

• CORNELIUS NEAL POPE, 40, of Des Moines

• PETER E. COOPER, JR., 32, of Des Moines

• WALTER STEFON BURGS, 48, of Des Moines

• ANTOWAN LEON TAYLOR, 40, of Des Moines

• PAUL JOSEPH CASTELLINE, 33, of Des Moines

In addition to federal drug charges, several other defendants are charged with federal firearms offenses and crimes of violence. In United States. v. MARSHAUN JORDAN MERRETT (4:19-MJ-160), MARSHAUN MERRETT is charged with unlawfully possessing an extended magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop on December 26, 2018. Brothers JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER are charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from an incident on December 13, 2018. The complaint describes intercepted communications between JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER in which the two planned to commit an armed home invasion robbery of another drug trafficker in Des Moines, who possessed marijuana and marijuana wax in his residence in Des Moines. In an effort to prevent the planned robbery by force, the Des Moines Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER were passengers, en route to the suspected home invasion location. A subsequent search of that vehicle yielded loaded, Glock firearms under each of JOHNNATHAN and FREDDIE FRENCHER’s seats. JOHNNATHAN FRENCHER has also been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, based on a prior felony drug conviction in the Iowa District Court for Polk County in May 2014.

The months-long investigation culminated in the execution of federal narcotics and firearms search warrants at the following locations on March 27, 2019:

• 1100 block of 14th Street, Des Moines

• 6600 block of SE 5th Street, Des Moines

• 3700 block of Valdez Drive, Des Moines

• 2000 block of 55th Street, Des Moines

• 600 block of 24th Street, Des Moines

• 6500 block of SW 9th Street, Des Moines

• 2400 block of E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines

• 2400 block of Capitol Avenue, Des Moines

• 1100 block of 9th Street, Des Moines

• 1500 block of 20th Place, Des Moines

• 1800 block of E. 25th Street, Des Moines

• 3000 block of 54th Street, Des Moines

The charges in the complaints carry maximum penalties of between ten years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z3H_Ro_c6GbZ6PjyBRIpfzBbWLSzv5-QNyJd4pKzTow
  Last Updated: 2023-10-21 14:48:45 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE4
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
F U C K I N G P E D O S R E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E