A Coralville man has been sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for drug and firearm offenses. Jacky Michael Mabikulu, 35, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute at least 40 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and carrying a firearm during a drug crime.
Court documents and evidence presented at sentencing showed that Mabikulu had a loaded handgun and 397 fentanyl pills designed to look like prescription medication. In previous years, specifically in 2022 and 2024, he was convicted in Iowa District Court for Johnson County for possessing firearms as a felon.
Following his prison term, Mabikulu will serve four years of supervised release. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the Johnson County Drug Task Force, which included assistance from 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.
Counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl are often made to resemble legitimate pharmaceutical drugs but can contain lethal doses. As little as two milligrams can be fatal. Fentanyl is considered the deadliest drug threat currently facing the United States; it caused the deaths of more than 48,000 Americans in 2024 according to data from federal authorities. More information about counterfeit pills and their dangers is available on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website: https://www.dea.gov/onepill.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates law enforcement agencies and community groups to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. The program’s current strategy emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting organizations focused on violence prevention, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes. Details about PSN 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.”
