Judge: Video of drug robbery is “chilling” in sentencing three defendants to prison

A federal judge said the video that three Cedar Rapids defendants made of themselves robbing a drug dealer of methamphetamine and cash last year was 'chilling.”

U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade said the video shows how the victim was physically restrained and threatened with harm. Not only did the video show the actual robbery but also the three planning how they were going to assault and rob him June 9, 2014. All pleaded guilty earlier this year.

Leonard Landt, 28, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, was sentenced to six years in prison; Snofawn Torres-Webber, 22, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and was sentenced to three years; and Bart Waddell, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and aiding and abetting in robbery and was sentenced to four years.

Reade, in pointing out the 'chilling” violence of the crime, said Landt talks about wishing he had a knife with him and Torres-Webber tells him to use his fists and she talks about having a knife in her backpack.

John Jacobsen, Torres-Webber's attorney, in arguing for a variance or lower sentence said Torres-Webber lacked parental figures in her life. Her father was in a gang and her mother had a substance abuse problem. She grew up in foster or group homes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Reinert said nothing about her background made her a unusual case to warrant a lesser sentence. She has several previous minor offenses for being so young.

Waddell testified in his sentencing and said the robbery wasn't his idea and he just went along with the other two.

During cross examination, Waddell admitted he was a member of the 'Midwest Bangers” gang and that Landt referred to him as the 'Sergeant of Arms,” who acts as the 'enforcer.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Reinert said wouldn't he agree that three people getting in the victim's car, especially with Landt and him in the backseat, would be intimidating to someone. '

The victim was probably scared?”

Waddell agreed.

Reade said Landt and Waddell are 'scary” in the video. They also talk abouted going out on 'safari and they are going to hunt (victim) him down.”