CEDAR RAPIDS – A man and woman who distributed pseudoephedrine for the use in the manufacture of methamphetamine pled guilty on October 4, 2013, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Enrique Manzo, 36, and his wife Jessica Manzo, 31, from Fredericksburg, Iowa, were each convicted of conspiring to distribute pseudoephedrine knowing that the pseudoephedrine would be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
At their respective plea hearings, the Manzo’s admitted to agreeing with each other and others, to collect pseudoephedrine and sell or trade the pseudoephedrine to a methamphetamine cook. Testimony at a prior hearing in the case indicated that Enrique and Jessica Manzo purchased pseudoephedrine from pharmacies themselves, but also received pills from other sources. On several occasions, pharmacy surveillance video captured other people buying pseudoephedrine and meeting Enrique or Jessica Manzo in the parking lot to hand them the pills.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Enrique and Jessica Manzo each remain in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. They each face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Northeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, including law enforcement officials from the Decorah Police Department, West Union Police Department, Postville Police Department, Monona Police Department, Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, and Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.
Well, thank God he didn’t kill anyone or he’d get out of prison even sooner!