Iowa man sentenced to 2 years in prison after threatening Arizona detective

PHOENIX — An Iowa man was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday after he threatened to kill a detective in Arizona.

Malachi Reed, 21, of Des Moines, pleaded guilty to the use of interstate commerce to transmit a threat, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

Why did the Iowa man threaten a detective in Arizona?

Back on August 6, 2024, a minor was reported missing from the Gila River Indian Community, according to prosecutors.

Collaborating state law enforcement agencies learned that the minor had flown out to Des Moines to meet Reed at the airport.

A detective from the Gila River Police Department called Reed to make sure the minor would return home safely, according to prosecutors.

Reed then threatened to kill the detective, his family and any other officers involved in the case.

Detectives later found Reed and the minor together on Aug. 16, 2024.

A judge also sentenced Reed to three years of supervised release after he serves his prison sentence.

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