SIOUX CITY – Two men who conspired to distribute methamphetamine were sentenced on November 14, 2013, and January 31, 2014, each to one year in federal prison.
Robert Skarin, 54, and William Meisner, 54, both from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after July 23, 2013, and August 26, 2013, guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty pleas, each admitted that from the beginning of 2013 through April 2013 they distributed more than 50 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine in the Sioux City, Iowa area. Each further admitted that on at least two occasions they traveled together 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 Meisner as 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 Meisner intended to distribute some or all of this methamphetamine.
Both were sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Skarin was sentenced to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment. He must also serve a five year term of supervised release after the prison term. Meisner was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five year term of supervised release after the prison term. A special assessment of $100 was imposed to each of them. There is no parole in the federal system. Skarin and Meisner are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and 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.
