SIOUX CITY – A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine while possessing guns was sentenced on January 19, 2021, to more than 10 years in federal prison.
Jacob Hernandez, 27, from Storm Lake, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 16, 2020, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
In a plea agreement, 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 February and March 2020, law enforcement conducted three controlled drug purchases of methamphetamine from Hernandez. In March 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence. Ultimately, officers seized two guns, approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine, over $5,000 in cash, drug trafficking materials, 2 bullet proof vests, marijuana, drug ledgers, and various ammunition.
Hernandez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Hernandez was sentenced to 125 months’ and 29 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Hernandez 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 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.
