SIOUX CITY – A Fort Dodge woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine while possessing firearms was sentenced May 7, 2020, to 10 years in federal prison.
Traci Guthrie, 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 26, 2019, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
At the guilty plea, Guthrie admitted that from January 2019 through April 16, 2019, she and others distributed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area. On three separate occasions Guthrie and others in the conspiracy distributed a total of more than 100 grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. During a later search of Guthrie’s residence and vehicle, law enforcement seized four guns (two of which were loaded), methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, scales, a drug ledger, and other items indicative of drug distribution. Law enforcement later seized two more guns in a consent search.
Guthrie was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Guthrie was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Guthrie is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster County Drug Task Force, Carroll County, Iowa Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory.
