SIOUX CITY – A man from Texas in possession of stolen handguns, who also conspired to distribute methamphetamine in Iowa was sentenced January 24, 2018, to 12 years in federal prison.
Stephen Scott Smith, 30, from Austin, Texas, received the prison term after a September 7, 2017, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Smith was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from May 2016 through November 23, 2016. On November 23, 2016, after receiving information from a confidential source, Smith was arrested and discovered to possess two stolen Glock handguns. In addition, during a vehicle search, agents discovered Smith possessed a third handgun and approximately 1/4 pound of crystal methamphetamine. Smith was bringing methamphetamine in large quantities from Texas for resale in Sioux City.
Smith was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Smith was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Smith 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 Jack Lammers and investigated by the Tri State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that 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 Woodbury County Attorney’s Office..
