MARSHALLTOWN, IA – United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt announced that on November 20, 2012, nine individuals were arrested in the culmination of a two-year investigation of methamphetamine trafficking in the Marshalltown, Iowa area. Search warrants and consent searches were also executed at several residences in Marshalltown and at an apartment in Ankeny, Iowa. The arrests and searches were conducted in a coordinated effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and the Marshalltown Police Department.
The following individuals were arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine: Jose Sanchez Adame, Jose Luis Sanchez Adame, Raymundo Sotel Calderon, Fidel Sanchez, Antonio Cabrera Mendiola, Kyla Nicole Forbes, Shannon Lee Fogle and Fernando Camacho. James Michael Buffington was also arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Trial in this case has been scheduled for January 7, 2013. The maximum penalties for these offenses are a mandatory minimum 10 years up to life imprisonment, up to a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release.
In accordance with the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, the public is reminded that an indictment and a complaint are merely accusations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Additionally, because this matter is pending in the United States District Court, the United States Attorney’s Office does not anticipate making any further comment or statement at this time.
