United States Attorney Matt M. Dummermuth

Northern District of Iowa

Press Releases

GANG MEMBER IN WATERLOO SENTENCED TO OVER 26 YEARS ON DRUG AND GUN CHARGES

July 5, 2007

Contact: Matthew Cole

United States Attorney Matt M. Dummermuth announced today that ANTHONY SADDLER, JR., age 22, of Waterloo, Iowa, was sentenced July 3, 2007, to more than 26 years in federal prison. SADDLER was one of three gang members in Waterloo recently sentenced to federal prison.

SADDLER, was charged federally with three drug and two gun crimes. The drug counts charged SADDLER with commission of the offenses within 1,000 feet of a playground.

SADDLER was convicted at trial on March 5, 2007, on all charges. Evidence at trial showed SADDLER moved from Chicago to Waterloo in 2004. SADDLER traveled to Chicago frequently to obtain cocaine and crack cocaine. On February 26, 2006, law enforcement officers executed three search warrants in Waterloo at residences occupied by SADDLER, Marlon Earsery, and others. Officers located drugs, drug paraphernalia, and cash at all three residences. Several firearms were located at one of the residences.

SADDLER was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade to 322 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release after his release from prison. A special assessment of $500 was imposed. There is no parole in the federal system. SADDLER is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

Earsery, who moved to Waterloo from Chicago in 2003, was charged on November 3, 2006, with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and conspiracy to use, carry, and possess firearms related to a drug trafficking crime. Earsery pled guilty on January 5, 2007, to both charges and he was sentenced on May 21, 2007, to 250 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release after his release from prison.

Jessie Davis, also from Chicago, was part of the conspiracy with SADDLER and Earsery. Davis was charged on March 15, 2006, with possession of a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of domestic abuse. Davis admitted he possessed a loaded .38 Colt revolver on September 11, 2005, during a gang altercation in Waterloo, Iowa. Davis was sentenced on November 17, 2006 to 49 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release after his release from prison.

“The volatile combination of drugs, guns, and gangs is a serious threat to having safe communities,” stated Dummermuth. “These prosecutions and stiff federal sentences are serious responses to that threat.”

All three cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and investigated by the Tri-County Drug Task Force, consisting of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers from the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office; Waterloo Police Department; Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; Cedar Falls Police Department; Waverly Police Department; Evansdale Police Department; Hudson Police Department; and La Porte City Police Department.