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Press Release

California Man Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Iowa

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on July 16, 2020, James William Chvala, age 56, of California, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 60 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The sentencing was the result of a traffic stop on June 26, 2019, in Council Bluffs by the Council Bluffs Police Department. An investigation revealed Chvala had approximately one pound of methamphetamine hidden in his vehicle and had obtained the methamphetamine from a source in California and was transporting it for distribution in Illinois. It was learned that Chvala had made multiple trips from California to deliver methamphetamine in Illinois. Chvala pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on January 24, 2020.

The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department and Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Contact

Rachel J. Scherle
515-473-9300
USAIAS-PAO@usdoj.gov

Updated July 17, 2020

Topic
Drug Trafficking