SIOUX CITY – A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was convicted by a jury on July 8, 2014, after a 1 ½-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.
Joseph Tyler McDonald, 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The verdict was returned following about 50 minutes of jury deliberations. McDonald was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine within 1000 feet of a school and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
The evidence at trial showed that McDonald was receiving packages via USPS containing methamphetamine from California that he distributed in the Fort Dodge, Iowa, area. Law enforcement intercepted a USPS package being delivered to McDonald at a relative’s address from California in January 2014. Law enforcement discovered and seized ½ pound of ice methamphetamine from the package. McDonald admitted to having received eight ounces of methamphetamine and eight ounces of cocaine by mail in the weeks preceding the noted seizure.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. McDonald remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. On both convictions, McDonald faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, $200 in special assessments, and 10 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 United States Postal Service, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations.
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
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