Hawkeye Reporter

A Coralville man has been sentenced to 144 months in federal prison after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and carrying a firearm during a drug crime. Jacky Michael Mabikulu, 35, was found with a loaded handgun and nearly 400 fentanyl pills that resembled prescription medication.

Court records show that Mabikulu had previous convictions for possessing firearms as a felon in the Iowa District Court for Johnson County in both 2022 and 2024. Following his prison sentence, he will serve four years of supervised release. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.

The case was investigated by the Johnson County Drug Task Force, which included assistance from several local law enforcement agencies: the Iowa City Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), University of Iowa Police Department, Coralville Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, and North Liberty Police Department.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal for the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing.

Authorities have warned that counterfeit pills containing fentanyl can look like legitimate pharmaceuticals but may contain lethal doses. As little as two milligrams can be fatal. In 2024 alone, fentanyl caused over 48,000 deaths across the United States. More information on the dangers posed by counterfeit pills is available through the Drug Enforcement Administration’s One Pill Can Kill campaign at https://www.dea.gov/onepill.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The U.S. Department of Justice launched an updated strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that work to prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results. Details about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.

"United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement."

"This case was investigated by the Johnson County Drug Task Force, which was comprised of and/or assisted by members of the Iowa City Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), University of Iowa Police Department, Coralville Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Liberty Police Department."