Keven Leroy Spanel, Meth Trafficking, Iowa 2023

Council Bluffs Man Sentenced for Meth, Firearm, and Escape Offenses

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A local man was sentenced on March 22, 2023, to a total of 144 months in prison, following his guilty pleas to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and escape.

Keven Leroy Spanel, 59, distributed methamphetamine in the Council Bluffs and Omaha metro areas, posing a significant threat to public safety. His actions demonstrate the dangers of the illicit drug trade and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat it.

In early 2022, Spanel was arrested carrying a firearm, which he used to protect himself and his drug trafficking activities. This blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others led to his eventual capture and conviction.

Furthermore, in July 2022, while on temporary release to attend a doctor’s appointment, Spanel escaped on foot by threatening the transportation driver with a screwdriver. His brazen attempt to flee was thwarted five days later by the Council Bluffs Police Department. After his prison term, Spanel will be on supervised release for five years.

The sentencing of Keven Leroy Spanel is a significant victory for law enforcement and the community. His crimes have had a profound impact on the lives of those affected by his actions, and his punishment serves as a reminder of the consequences of such behavior.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and United States Marshal Service investigated the case.

The case against Keven Leroy Spanel serves as a reminder of the importance of cooperation and coordination between law enforcement agencies in combating the illicit drug trade. The efforts of the investigators and prosecutors involved in this case have helped to make our community a safer place.

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