DES MOINES, IA – On February 22, 2017, a jury in the Southern District of Iowa convicted Jonathan Leroy Homedew, 43, of Hemet, California, on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 6, 2017, before Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey.
From about May 2016 through September 9, 2016, Homedew conspired with other persons to distribute methamphetamine in the Des Moines, Iowa, area. Over the course of this conspiracy, Homedew purchased multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine from sources in Southern California, and then shipped it, including through the United States Mail, to the Des Moines area. On September 7 and 9, 2016, the United States Postal Inspection Service, in concert with the Des Moines Police Department, seized nine parcels shipped from Southern California. The combined parcels contained over 25 pounds of methamphetamine sent by Homedew for redistribution by others in Iowa.
"The cooperation among the law enforcement agencies necessary to achieve this successful prosecution is commended," stated United States Attorney VanderSchel. "Together we are making a difference in keeping our community and mail service safe."
Craig Goldberg, Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, which includes Iowa, said, "This conviction reflects the successful teamwork among federal, state, and local law enforcement. We want the public to know that Postal Inspectors will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to use the Postal Service to facilitate drug trafficking. We do not want the U.S. Mail to be used to commit crimes, and we aim to keep illegal drugs out of the mail for the safety of our employees and customers."
This investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Des Moines Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Learn more about this release by contacting Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov