Two dozen arrested in child exploitation stings in Cedar Rapids
The Cedar Rapids Police Department has arrested 14 people since January as part of its ongoing decoy child exploitation prevention efforts.
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Cedar Rapids Crime
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CEDARRAPIDS— Two men are accused of entering a southeast Cedar Rapids apartment Saturday while armed with guns and intending to assault the occupants, according to Linn County Attorney’s Office criminal complaints.
Jalen H. Hicks, 26, of Mount Vernon, and Andra M. Small Jr., 28, of Cedar Rapids, entered an upstairs apartment Saturday in the 1200 block of Fifth Avenue SE, according to the criminal complaints. The complaints indicated at least one other person entered the apartment with them. Police said one of the men displayed a firearm during the incident and that gun was found on Hicks when he was apprehended. Small also had a gun on him, according to the complaint. Hicks and Small were arrested and taken to the Linn County Jail on charges of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Hicks also was accused of possessing a controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor,
for allegedly possessing marijuana at the time of his arrest.
Small
Hicks
Jalen H. Hicks, 26, of Mount Vernon, and Andra M. Small Jr., 28, of Cedar Rapids, entered an upstairs apartment Saturday in the 1200 block of Fifth Avenue SE, according to the criminal complaints. The complaints indicated at least one other person entered the apartment with them. Police said one of the men displayed a firearm during the incident and that gun was found on Hicks when he was apprehended. Small also had a gun on him, according to the complaint. Hicks and Small were arrested and taken to the Linn County Jail on charges of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Hicks also was accused of possessing a controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor,
for allegedly possessing marijuana at the time of his arrest.
Small
Hicks
How long until we see one or both of them in the news for a similar crime? Over under on 9 months?CEDARRAPIDS— Two men are accused of entering a southeast Cedar Rapids apartment Saturday while armed with guns and intending to assault the occupants, according to Linn County Attorney’s Office criminal complaints.
Jalen H. Hicks, 26, of Mount Vernon, and Andra M. Small Jr., 28, of Cedar Rapids, entered an upstairs apartment Saturday in the 1200 block of Fifth Avenue SE, according to the criminal complaints. The complaints indicated at least one other person entered the apartment with them. Police said one of the men displayed a firearm during the incident and that gun was found on Hicks when he was apprehended. Small also had a gun on him, according to the complaint. Hicks and Small were arrested and taken to the Linn County Jail on charges of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Hicks also was accused of possessing a controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor,
for allegedly possessing marijuana at the time of his arrest.
Small
Hicks
Repeat offender sentenced on federal gun charge in Cedar Rapids
A man from Cedar Rapids was sentenced Wednesday to two years and six months in prison for owning a gun as a felon.
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Assisted living employee accused of forging $25K in checks from dying woman
A woman is accused of stealing more than $25,000 from an eastern Iowa hospice care resident.
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CEDAR RAPIDS — A jury Tuesday convicted Kaleek Lewis of fatally shooting one man and attempting to kill another, who were both unarmed when they walked onto his driveway Sept. 10, 2025, to ask about their missing wallets.
The jury, who deliberated nearly three hours following six days of testimony, found him guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, going armed with intent, use of a dangerous weapon in commission of a crime, reckless use of a firearm, person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons and possession of a controlled substance — marijuana.
Lewis was armed with a gun and went outside when Dedric Arnold and Morris Gray were walking up his driveway in the
100 block of 27th Street NE in Cedar Rapids. He fired four to six shots at the two men, according to trial testimony.
Defendant Kaleek Lewis listens to the state deliver an opening statement to the jury Aug. 10 during his trial in Linn County District Court in Cedar Rapids. Lewis was convictedTuesday of first-degree murder and other charges.
The jury, who deliberated nearly three hours following six days of testimony, found him guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, going armed with intent, use of a dangerous weapon in commission of a crime, reckless use of a firearm, person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons and possession of a controlled substance — marijuana.
Lewis was armed with a gun and went outside when Dedric Arnold and Morris Gray were walking up his driveway in the
100 block of 27th Street NE in Cedar Rapids. He fired four to six shots at the two men, according to trial testimony.
Defendant Kaleek Lewis listens to the state deliver an opening statement to the jury Aug. 10 during his trial in Linn County District Court in Cedar Rapids. Lewis was convictedTuesday of first-degree murder and other charges.
The dude has only been arrested for attempted murder twice and now arrested again for having a gun. Does he get a couple of weeks in jail for the latest arrest or is that too harsh of punishment?Repeat offender sentenced on federal gun charge in Cedar Rapids
A man from Cedar Rapids was sentenced Wednesday to two years and six months in prison for owning a gun as a felon.
Assisted living employee accused of forging $25K in checks from dying woman
A woman is accused of stealing more than $25,000 from an eastern Iowa hospice care resident.
CEDAR RAPIDS — A 71-year-old Cedar Rapids man was charged Friday with setting a fire in his apartment in southeast Cedar Rapids while other people were in the multiunit complex.
Kenard Kaye Brandt was charged with first-degree arson, a Class B felony. A judge, during an initial appearance, ordered he be held without bond pending trial.
According to a criminal complaint, Brandt is accused of intentionally setting the fire in his apartment at the Common Wealth Apartments, 1400 Second Ave. SE, about 6:41 p.m. Thursd ay.
Brandt set the fire to damage property and “get attention,” the complaint states.
No injuries were reported.
TrishMeha ey covers state and federal courts. She can be reached at trish.meha y@thegazette. com
Kenard Kaye Brandt was charged with first-degree arson, a Class B felony. A judge, during an initial appearance, ordered he be held without bond pending trial.
According to a criminal complaint, Brandt is accused of intentionally setting the fire in his apartment at the Common Wealth Apartments, 1400 Second Ave. SE, about 6:41 p.m. Thursd ay.
Brandt set the fire to damage property and “get attention,” the complaint states.
No injuries were reported.
TrishMeha ey covers state and federal courts. She can be reached at trish.meha y@thegazette. com
This thread is gross. It’s basically the racists who claim to not be posting nothing but black criminals and the few non racists posting white criminals lol. To the racists, we get it, you don’t like black people and you’ve probably never lived outside of Iowa.
Hospital patient accused of destroying $50,000 worth of computers
A patient at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital is accused of causing $50,000 worth of damage to hospital equipment.
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Feels like that one guy that used to post daily Chicago and Omaha crime.
Cedar Rapids Police arrest 4 people after chase Sunday evening https://www.kcrg.com/2026/08/24/cedar-rapids-police-arrest-4-people-after-chase-sunday-evening/
Pretty sure there are articles involving multiple races. Maybe we can try to do something to get other races to catch up with black people committing crimes. Or are people supposed to avoid the guns/shootings/child endangerment crimes because they are black?
With prison overcrowding in this State and a severe shortage of prison guards, it's not surprising that Judges are forced to give lighter/shorter sentences for various crimes.
Also...parole is likely being granted earlier.
Place the blame where it belongs...Terrace Hill in Des Moines.
Also...parole is likely being granted earlier.
Place the blame where it belongs...Terrace Hill in Des Moines.
CEDARRAPIDS—A car chase, which started over a 4-year-old being taken from their father at a grocery store Sunday, ended in a crash, a gun being pointed at the father and three people being arrested on charges of child endangerment and assault.
The parents of the 4-year-old, Lamonra Laynesha Oneal, 25, and Jaylan Treyvon Bentley, 26, both of Cedar Rapids, were charged Monday with child endangerment — substantial risk, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Lawrence J. Jefferson, 30, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class D felony, and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaints, police responded to reports of a car crash, a disturbance and shots being fired. When officers arrived, they learned Oneal had been driving a red SUV in a “reckless and dangerous” manner, with her child in the vehicle and fleeing from a gray SUV driven by Bentley.
Oneal, during the chase, was driving the wrong way down a one-way street and was ultimately “rammed” by Bentley’s SUV, ending up in a yard, the complaint stated.
Oneal had left Jim’s Foods in southwest Cedar Rapids with her 4-year-old child in her vehicle. The child initially had been with Bentley, and Bentley pursued the mother’s vehicle.
During the chase, one of Oneal’s passengers, Jefferson, was in possession of a firearm. He pointed it out the vehicle’s window at Bentley’s SUV, the complaints stated.
Police have surveillance video that showed Jefferson hanging out the red SUV’s window with his arm raised, pointing a gun toward Bentley’s vehicle in a “threatening manner.”
It’s unclear if the gun was fired. The documents only say shots fired were initially reported to the police.
Police said a resident in the area saw Oneal remove a Glock 19v used by Jefferson from the scene and take it to the resident’s house, along with her purse — reportedly to conceal it from police, according to a complaint.
The parents of the 4-year-old, Lamonra Laynesha Oneal, 25, and Jaylan Treyvon Bentley, 26, both of Cedar Rapids, were charged Monday with child endangerment — substantial risk, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Lawrence J. Jefferson, 30, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class D felony, and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaints, police responded to reports of a car crash, a disturbance and shots being fired. When officers arrived, they learned Oneal had been driving a red SUV in a “reckless and dangerous” manner, with her child in the vehicle and fleeing from a gray SUV driven by Bentley.
Oneal, during the chase, was driving the wrong way down a one-way street and was ultimately “rammed” by Bentley’s SUV, ending up in a yard, the complaint stated.
Oneal had left Jim’s Foods in southwest Cedar Rapids with her 4-year-old child in her vehicle. The child initially had been with Bentley, and Bentley pursued the mother’s vehicle.
During the chase, one of Oneal’s passengers, Jefferson, was in possession of a firearm. He pointed it out the vehicle’s window at Bentley’s SUV, the complaints stated.
Police have surveillance video that showed Jefferson hanging out the red SUV’s window with his arm raised, pointing a gun toward Bentley’s vehicle in a “threatening manner.”
It’s unclear if the gun was fired. The documents only say shots fired were initially reported to the police.
Police said a resident in the area saw Oneal remove a Glock 19v used by Jefferson from the scene and take it to the resident’s house, along with her purse — reportedly to conceal it from police, according to a complaint.
CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man, who had a backpack with 773 fentanyl pills he planned to distribute, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison.
Shewarence Dehassiu Gibbs, 46, pleaded Jan. 30 in U.S. District Court to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to evidence at sentencing and a previous hearing, police officers tried to arrest Gibbs on a warrant in April 2024, but he fled and discarded a backpack before officers stopped him.
However, officers found the backpack, which contained some of the 773 fentanyl pills, as well as pills and $590 in cash in Gibbs’ pockets.
According to a sentencing document, Gibbs typically sold 15 to 20 pills at a time and made 20 drug transactions, including selling 100 pills for his supplier, in a few days before he was found with 773 pills on April 11, 2024.
Gibbs’ drug dealing supported his lifestyle and he benefited from his criminal activity, the sentencing document pointed out. In a recorded interview, Gibbs told authorities he sold each pill for $7 to $10. If he sold each pill for only $7, he would make $5,411. He would pay his supplier $2,000, so his profit would be about $3,411.
Gibbs has previous convictions for drug-related offenses, along with armed robbery, assault causing bodily injury and domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury, according to court documents.
U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams, during sentencing, also ordered Gibbs to serve four years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Devra Hake and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center.
Shewarence Dehassiu Gibbs, 46, pleaded Jan. 30 in U.S. District Court to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to evidence at sentencing and a previous hearing, police officers tried to arrest Gibbs on a warrant in April 2024, but he fled and discarded a backpack before officers stopped him.
However, officers found the backpack, which contained some of the 773 fentanyl pills, as well as pills and $590 in cash in Gibbs’ pockets.
According to a sentencing document, Gibbs typically sold 15 to 20 pills at a time and made 20 drug transactions, including selling 100 pills for his supplier, in a few days before he was found with 773 pills on April 11, 2024.
Gibbs’ drug dealing supported his lifestyle and he benefited from his criminal activity, the sentencing document pointed out. In a recorded interview, Gibbs told authorities he sold each pill for $7 to $10. If he sold each pill for only $7, he would make $5,411. He would pay his supplier $2,000, so his profit would be about $3,411.
Gibbs has previous convictions for drug-related offenses, along with armed robbery, assault causing bodily injury and domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury, according to court documents.
U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams, during sentencing, also ordered Gibbs to serve four years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Devra Hake and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center.
Cedar Rapids prior offender sentenced for having hundreds of fentanyl pills
A man from Cedar Rapids was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
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Ex-Cedar Rapids Prep principal gets probation after plea in harassment case
The former principal of a Cedar Rapids charter school has been sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $105 after allegedly threatening to slit
cbs2iowa.com
Pretty sure she wasn't buying bread and diapers at Jim's Foods
Man accused of sexually assaulting and impregnating a minor after giving her an edible https://www.kcrg.com/2026/09/01/man-accused-drugging-sexually-assaulting-impregnating-minor/
Hopefully she’s allowed to get an abortion if she hasn’t already.
Hopefully she’s allowed to get an abortion if she hasn’t already.
CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids woman, who started two fires at two different houses, one on the northwest side and the other on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids, pleaded Thursday to lesser charges.
Ruth Ann Gee, 33, during a plea hearing, admitted to setting a fire on an upstairs bedroom door of a home in the 400 block of Eighth Avenue SW on May 21. She also admitted to setting a fire May 30 on the front porch of a residence in the 100 block of 14th Ave NW.
Sixth Judicial District Senior Judge Patrick Grady accepted her guilty pleas to two charges of second-degree arson, in accordance with the plea agreement. She faces up to 10 years in prison on each charge.
She was originally charged with two counts of first-degree arson, both Class B felonies.
Assistant Linn County Attorney Andrew Powers said there is no plea agreement for sentencing. He will argue for 10 years on each conviction.
The defense can argue for a lesser sentence — possibly probation — if eligible.
Flag
VFW Cross Flag
VFW FIRE INCIDENTS Elks
According to a criminal complaint, a fire investigator determined that Gee intentionally poured gasoline or another ignitable liquid on an upstairs bedroom door of a home in the 400 block of Eighth
index free of charge. Arrangements pending and all other obituary material will be published for 50 cents per word. Pictures are $10, $25 and $45 for black and white photos; $35, $50 and $75 for color photos. Prepayment is required. For more information, call 319-398-8221 or email [email protected]
Avenue SW, while several people were inside the home on May 21.
A witness told police they saw Gee in the upstairs area with a container of ignitable liquid after the incident. A text message from Gee to people
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Masons Muslim Lions
inside stated, “I poured it on yo (expletive), and I will burn that whole house up with y’all,” the complaint stated.
Investigators said they found localized burn marks near the liquid consistent with attempts made to ignite it.
On May 30, an investigator who spoke with residents and witnesses determined that a blaze in the 100 block of 14th Street NW was intentionally started on the front porch of the home, next to the front door, according to a criminal complaint.
A nearby gasoline can was the likely source of an ignited liquid there, the complaint stated.
Witnesses reported that Gee had arrived at the house before the fire. They said Gee had been yelling at a woman who answered the door “about an individual she believed to be inside, with whom she allegedly was involved in a relationship,” according to the complaint.
After the door was shut on Gee, her silhouette was seen at the front door as liquid was being poured there, just before the fire started, the complaint stated.
Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts. She can be reached at [email protected]
Ruth Ann Gee, 33, during a plea hearing, admitted to setting a fire on an upstairs bedroom door of a home in the 400 block of Eighth Avenue SW on May 21. She also admitted to setting a fire May 30 on the front porch of a residence in the 100 block of 14th Ave NW.
Sixth Judicial District Senior Judge Patrick Grady accepted her guilty pleas to two charges of second-degree arson, in accordance with the plea agreement. She faces up to 10 years in prison on each charge.
She was originally charged with two counts of first-degree arson, both Class B felonies.
Assistant Linn County Attorney Andrew Powers said there is no plea agreement for sentencing. He will argue for 10 years on each conviction.
The defense can argue for a lesser sentence — possibly probation — if eligible.
Flag
VFW Cross Flag
VFW FIRE INCIDENTS Elks
According to a criminal complaint, a fire investigator determined that Gee intentionally poured gasoline or another ignitable liquid on an upstairs bedroom door of a home in the 400 block of Eighth
index free of charge. Arrangements pending and all other obituary material will be published for 50 cents per word. Pictures are $10, $25 and $45 for black and white photos; $35, $50 and $75 for color photos. Prepayment is required. For more information, call 319-398-8221 or email [email protected]
Avenue SW, while several people were inside the home on May 21.
A witness told police they saw Gee in the upstairs area with a container of ignitable liquid after the incident. A text message from Gee to people
Christian Orthodox
Masons Muslim Lions
inside stated, “I poured it on yo (expletive), and I will burn that whole house up with y’all,” the complaint stated.
Investigators said they found localized burn marks near the liquid consistent with attempts made to ignite it.
On May 30, an investigator who spoke with residents and witnesses determined that a blaze in the 100 block of 14th Street NW was intentionally started on the front porch of the home, next to the front door, according to a criminal complaint.
A nearby gasoline can was the likely source of an ignited liquid there, the complaint stated.
Witnesses reported that Gee had arrived at the house before the fire. They said Gee had been yelling at a woman who answered the door “about an individual she believed to be inside, with whom she allegedly was involved in a relationship,” according to the complaint.
After the door was shut on Gee, her silhouette was seen at the front door as liquid was being poured there, just before the fire started, the complaint stated.
Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts. She can be reached at [email protected]
CEDAR RAPIDS — A Chicago man who distributed heroin and fentanyl and illegally possessed ammunition in Cedar Rapids was sentenced this week to 12 years in federal prison.
Vincent Steven Calvin, 66, pleaded guilty March 11 in U.S. District Court to one count each of distribution of a controlled substance and possession of ammunition by a felon.
During sentencing, prosecutors said Calvin was involved in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in Cedar Rapids starting in 2020. Calvin sold a man fentanyl, which was ingested Sept. 27, 2020, or early the next day. The man, who was not identified, died from a fentanyl‑related overdose.
On Nov. 22, 2022, and Jan.
3, 2023, investigators posing as buyers purchased fentanyl from Calvin and then searched his Cedar Rapids apartment Jan. 10, 2023, where they found multiple rounds of ammunition. Calvin was prohibited from possessing ammunition because of his multiple previous felony convictions.
U.S. District Judge Leonard T. Strand, during sentencing Tuesday, also ordered Calvin to serve three years of supervised release following his 12-year prison term.
Vincent Steven Calvin, 66, pleaded guilty March 11 in U.S. District Court to one count each of distribution of a controlled substance and possession of ammunition by a felon.
During sentencing, prosecutors said Calvin was involved in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in Cedar Rapids starting in 2020. Calvin sold a man fentanyl, which was ingested Sept. 27, 2020, or early the next day. The man, who was not identified, died from a fentanyl‑related overdose.
On Nov. 22, 2022, and Jan.
3, 2023, investigators posing as buyers purchased fentanyl from Calvin and then searched his Cedar Rapids apartment Jan. 10, 2023, where they found multiple rounds of ammunition. Calvin was prohibited from possessing ammunition because of his multiple previous felony convictions.
U.S. District Judge Leonard T. Strand, during sentencing Tuesday, also ordered Calvin to serve three years of supervised release following his 12-year prison term.
CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, resulting in a pregnancy, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Linn County Attorney’s Office.
In April, Jeremy J. Johnson, 33, had sexual relations with the 15-year-old girl at his apartment, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators said Johnson gave the girl a marijuana gummy while she was already intoxicated. She allegedly woke up the next morning with her shorts removed.
The girl said she became pregnant and that Johnson was the only possible father of her child, according to the complaint. Investigators said text messages revealed they had engaged in sexual acts.
Johnson was charged with two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He is being held in the Linn County Jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.
Johnson is listed in Iowa’s Sex Offender Registry for a 2017 Linn County conviction of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.
In April, Jeremy J. Johnson, 33, had sexual relations with the 15-year-old girl at his apartment, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators said Johnson gave the girl a marijuana gummy while she was already intoxicated. She allegedly woke up the next morning with her shorts removed.
The girl said she became pregnant and that Johnson was the only possible father of her child, according to the complaint. Investigators said text messages revealed they had engaged in sexual acts.
Johnson was charged with two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He is being held in the Linn County Jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.
Johnson is listed in Iowa’s Sex Offender Registry for a 2017 Linn County conviction of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.
So essentially he killed a man in 2020 but was still able to be arrested again for seeking more drugs in 2023.
America is a great place for criminals.
Cedar Rapids crime statistics show declines across most major categories
New crime statistics report shows all categories below five-year average.
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Same in Omaha but locals will have you believe its the Darien Gap out here.Cedar Rapids crime statistics show declines across most major categories
New crime statistics report shows all categories below five-year average.
Former employee convicted of embezzling thousands from Cedar Rapids business
A man has been found guilty this week of stealing hundreds of thousands from his former employer.
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Cedar Rapids woman charged with fighting police officers in her vehicle
Cedar Rapids Police have arrested a woman they say disarmed one officer and injured another with her vehicle.
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Cedar Rapids woman charged with fighting police officers in her vehicle
Cedar Rapids Police have arrested a woman they say disarmed one officer and injured another with her vehicle.
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