SIOUX CITY – A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty July 23, 2013, in federal court in Sioux City.
Robert Skarin, 53, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Skarin admitted that from the beginning of 2013 through April 2013 he distributed more than 50 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine in the Sioux City, Iowa area. Skarin admitted that on at least two occasions he and another person traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, to obtain methamphetamine for later distribution in Sioux City. On April 3, 2013, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Skarin with one passenger. A search yielded a brown paper bag rolled up and hidden inside Skarin’s right sock. The bag contained over 80 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Skarin and his passenger intended to distribute some or all of this methamphetamine.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Skarin was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Skarin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a special assessment of $100, and five years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, which consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
