U.S. Attorney’s Office in Iowa collects nearly $27 million in civil, criminal offenders’ debt

CEDAR RAPIDS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa collected nearly $27 million for civil and criminal debts, victim restitution and forfeitures from offenders in fiscal year 2025.

The office collected more than $2.6 million in criminal actions, more than $23.6 million in civil actions and $647,230 in forfeited assets. Of the $27 million, the northern district office was solely responsible for recovering more than $9.1 million in civil cases and $2.6 million in criminal cases, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The remaining amounts were recovered jointly with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and agencies of the Department of Justice.

“Holding wrongdoers responsible for their actions is a crucial part of our mission,” U.S. Attorney Leif Olson said. “That means making sure that people make good on the amounts they owe to the federal government, especially criminals who’ve been ordered to pay fines and victim restitution. We will continue to work diligently to collect money for the federal treasury and return money to victims of crime.”

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U.S. Attorney’s Offices are responsible for enforcing and collecting debts owed to the federal government and criminal debts owed to victims of federal crimes. Those convicted of certain federal crimes must pay restitution to victims who suffered a physical or financial injury.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Morfitt said the Northern District of Iowa’s criminal cases contributing to the debt collections included:

Gordon Grabau, then 51, of Marion, a former reserve Linn County sheriff’s deputy, was convicted in 2023 of one count of receiving child pornography and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was ordered to pay $24,000 in restitution to victims. The full amount was garnished and collected in 2025.

David Pitz, 36, of Elma, was convicted in 2018 of conversion of property pledged to a farm credit agency and sentenced to 10 months in prison. He operated a northern Iowa farm and used farm proceeds for personal expenses, instead of paying off his USDA-backed line of credit. A judge ordered him to pay $177,269 in restitution, which was collected in 2025, partially from garnishment and partially by a payment made by Pitz.

Robert Jene Smith, 57, of New Hartford, who was convicted of receiving child pornography and sentenced to more than 11 years in prison in 2024. He also was ordered to pay $32,000 in restitution, another $15,000 in penalties and special assessments, which was garnished and fully paid in 2025.

Criminal fines and assessments go to the Department of Justice’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes funds to federal and state victim-compensation and victim-assistance programs. Forfeited assets go to the department’s Assets Forfeiture Fund, which is used for crime victims and a variety of other law enforcement purposes.

Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com