Fort Dodge woman sent to federal prison for meth conspiracy

SIOUX CITY – A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced October 1, 2019, to five years in federal prison.

Chelsea Collins, 31, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Collins admitted her involvement in a conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area from January 2018 through September 2018.  In four separate transactions in July 2018, Collins distributed and aided others in the distribution of over 35 grams of pure methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.  Evidence at sentencing also showed Collins threatened cooperators and law enforcement officers involved in the investigation of her and her co-conspirators.

Collins was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Collins was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the federal prison term.  This term was ordered consecutive to two state prison sentences Collins is also serving at this time.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Collins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County, Iowa Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.