SIOUX CITY – A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine while possessing firearms pled guilty September 16, 2020, in federal court in Sioux City.
Jacob Hernandez, 26, from Storm Lake, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
At the plea hearing, Hernandez admitted that from January 2020 through March 2020, he was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 4 pounds of methamphetamine in the Storm Lake and Fonda areas. In March 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence. During the search, officers seized $5,010 cash on Hernandez, cell phone, torch lighter, and vape pen. Officers also searched Hernandez’s garage and found: a Kimber .45 caliber pistol and a 20 gauge shotgun; approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine and 1.4 pounds of marijuana, 3 ounces of marijuana, drug ledgers, drug paraphernalia, various types of ammunition, vacuum seal bags, vacuum sealer, and two ballistic vests.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Hernandez will remain in custody pending sentencing. Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment on the drug conviction. On the firearm conviction, Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, which must be served consecutive to any term of imprisonment imposed on the drug conviction and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 file, and up to five years of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Sac County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory.
