Two Iowa men have been sentenced to federal prison for their role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in the Des Moines metro area. Shannon D. Robertson, 44, of Chicago, Illinois and Des Moines, and Earl Sandeleo Galtney, 44, of Cedar Rapids, were found responsible for distributing fentanyl in the region throughout 2023 and 2024.
According to public court documents, Robertson and Galtney obtained the fentanyl in Chicago and smuggled it into Iowa, where they distributed it to unsuspecting buyers. In May 2024, law enforcement located over 75 grams of fentanyl at Robertson’s residence, a significant amount of the potent opioid.
Roberston and Galtney were each held accountable for over 750 grams of fentanyl, a staggering amount that highlights the scope of the fentanyl crisis in Iowa. Robertson was sentenced to 142 months in federal prison, followed by a four-year term of supervised release. Galtney received a 125-month prison sentence, also accompanied by four years of supervised release.
The sentencing of Robertson and Galtney is a significant blow to the fentanyl trade in Iowa. Fentanyl has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States, with counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills often masquerading as legitimate pharmaceuticals. In 2023, accidental overdose was the number one cause of death in 37 states for residents under 40 years old.
According to Iowa health officials, opioid-related deaths reached a record high in 2021, with 258 fatalities reported. This represents a 64% increase from 2019, and a 8% decrease in 2022. The fentanyl crisis continues to plague Iowa, with law enforcement and health officials working tirelessly to combat the issue.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement, commending the efforts of the Des Moines Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Central Iowa Gang Task Force, for their role in the investigation.
Roberston’s co-defendant, Ashley Lynn Andrews, 37, of Des Moines, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1, 2025. As the fentanyl crisis continues to wreak havoc on communities across the country, the sentencing of Robertson and Galtney serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of fentanyl distribution.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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