DES MOINES – A Des Moines man was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that led to the overdose death of a one-year child. According to court documents, Kenneth Leroy Quinn, also known as “Coach K,” distributed several pills containing fentanyl on April 29, 2023. Quinn’s customer used some of the pills and brought the remaining pills home. The customer’s one-year-old son ingested the fentanyl mixture and died of acute fentanyl toxicity. After completing his term of imprisonment, Quinn will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Quinn was also ordered to pay $1847 in restitution.

ANKENY – The former leader of the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce is accused of stealing $250,000 from the group. KCCI-TV reports Melisa Cox was arrested and accused of theft, money laundering, and unauthorized use of a credit card. An investigation that started in November concluded in Cox losing her role as CEO and President of the chamber and eventual criminal charges.

IOWA – Two Iowa healthcare practitioners have entered into civil settlements to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false or fraudulent claims to Medicare as part of a telemedicine scheme. Cori Lempiainen has agreed to pay $150,000 to the United States to resolve allegations that between October 4, 2021 and November 11, 2022 she billed Medicare for over 650 claims for office visits and medical discussions she did not provide. Paul Baumert has agreed to pay $14,325.96 to the United States to resolve allegations that between May 16, 2022 and August 26, 2022 he billed Medicare for over 200 claims for office visits and medical discussions that he did not provide