More arrests likely; McAndrew says drug investigation is far from over

By MATT MILNER Courier staff writer

July 25, 2008 04:08 pm

— OTTUMWA — The defendants from last week’s major drug busts in Ottumwa have been in court, and now authorities are saying they might not be the only ones.
Ottumwa Police Lt. Tom McAndrew was one of the top investigators in the case with his role in the Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force. The arrests already brought in 10 people authorities say were part of the William Edwards cocaine ring. But the overall push by law enforcement is far from over.
“We anticipate making further arrests,” McAndrew told the Courier. “This investigation will go on for quite some time.”
Two defendants managed to secure their release following Wednesday’s hearings. Sandra Lee-Marie Piedlow, whom Judge Ross Walters described as “a follower,” is in the custody of her parents in Winnebago County, Ill. She is restricted to that area and to Des Moines for visits with her attorney and for court events. Walters barred her from travel to Wapello County.
Walters also ordered the pre-trial release of Rafael DeLazaro. DeLazaro’s role in the ring is murkier than that of any other defendant. He waived his detention hearing, so the prosecution did not ask DEA Special Agent Mark Cory about his role in the ring. It was through Cory’s testimony that most of the information about the ring emerged.
DeLazaro’s travel is restricted only to places within Iowa, and he has a curfew.
Neither release came as a surprise to McAndrew. He cited the relative lack of criminal history for both Piedlow and DeLazaro, and the fact that neither sold informants firearms during the investigation.
Both Piedlow and DeLazaro are required to contact the court’s pre-trial services office and maintain contact with a probation officer. Drug screenings and mental health evaluations are also required in their releases.
Failure to comply with the release requirements can result in additional prison time if the defendants are convicted.
A handful of the documents involved in the federal prosecution of an Ottumwa drug ring became available after the detention hearings, but not one of the key items.
Attorneys on both sides frequently referred to a large criminal complaint filed in the case. One defense attorney called it “the largest criminal complaint I’ve ever seen in a drug case.” It runs in excess of 100 pages, but does not appear to have been unsealed yet.
Testimony on Wednesday gave some indication of what is included in the document. Investigators used at least three informants. The complaint refers to them as CS (confidential source) 1, 2 and 3. It also includes an account in which CS 2 is confronted and threatened, allegedly by suspect Derek O’Neal, after a gaffe by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms unveiled his work as an informant.
It’s not clear whether other events alluded to in testimony, such as the assault of suspect Jerry Miller by other members of the drug ring, are included in the complaint.
The complaint is not the only document in judicial limbo. The original grand jury indictment remains sealed, but a redacted copy is available through the federal courts. The document includes the charge of conspiracy to distribute drugs. That’s the sole charge in the case at this time, though there are indications others may emerge.
Trials in the case are currently scheduled for Sept. 29.
Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com