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 397 fentanyl pills that were designed to resemble prescription medication.
Court documents reveal that Mabikulu has a history of firearm offenses, having previously been convicted in the Iowa District Court for Johnson County for possessing firearms as a felon in both 2022 and 2024. Following his prison term, he will be subject to four years of supervised release. It’s important to note that there is no parole available in the federal system.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa and involved an investigation by the Johnson County Drug Task Force, which includes officers from multiple local law enforcement agencies, such as the Iowa City Police Department and the Coralville Police Department.
Fentanyl is particularly dangerous, as just two milligrams can be a potentially fatal dose. In 2024 alone, it was responsible for the deaths of 48,422 Americans, highlighting the urgent need for awareness around counterfeit pills that can contain lethal amounts of the substance.
This case is part of the broader Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. Launched in May 2021, the program focuses on building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, supporting preventive measures, and establishing strategic enforcement priorities. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
