On Friday, September 12th, 2025, 39-year-old Carlos Velasco Mendez of Cantril was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Van Buren County District Court following multiple drug and weapon convictions.
The sentence stems from a July 15th search warrant executed at Mendez’s residence in Cantril, where law enforcement uncovered evidence leading to a series of felony charges. As a habitual offender, Mendez faced enhanced penalties and ultimately pled guilty, receiving a reduced sentence that carries a mandatory minimum of 3 years.
Mendez’s new sentence will run consecutive to an existing Wapello County case from 2020 with multiple felony charges relating to controlled substance violations. The Van Buren County charges from the search warrant include:
- Controlled Substance Violation – Class C Felony
- Controlled Substance Violation – Class D Felony
- Failure to Affix Drug Stamp – Class D Felony
- Possession of Controlled Substance (3rd or Subsequent Offense) – Class D Felony
- Dominion/Control of Firearm/Offensive Weapon by Felon – Class D Felony
- Violation of Parole
Following Friday’s sentencing, Mendez was transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC) in Oakdale, where he will begin serving his prison sentence.
