SIOUX CITY – A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced October 1, 2014, to more than five years in federal prison.
Ivan Lopez-Castelan, 32, from Iowa, received the prison term after a June 30, 2014, guilty plea to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty plea, Lopez-Castelan admitted he was involved in the distribution of at least 1500 grams of mixed methamphetamine which contained 500 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine from approximately 2011 through February, 2014. On February 7, 2014, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of approximately one pound of methamphetamine from Lopez-Castelan in Orange City, Iowa, for $28,000.
Lopez-Castelan was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Lopez-Castelan was sentenced to 61 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Lopez-Castelan is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office assisted by the Iowa Great Lakes Drug Task Force, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa Division of Intelligence, Orange City Police Department, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force.
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