SIOUX CITY – A man who possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty October 12, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Celestin Loux, 64, from Eagle Grove, Iowa, was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Loux admitted that on November 10, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Loux after receiving a report of a vehicle theft. Law enforcement seized seven bags from Loux’s person totaling 14.39 grams of methamphetamine. Evidence further showed that from December 2019 through February 2020, during three controlled drug-buy operations with law enforcement, Loux sold a total of 51.54 grams of methamphetamine.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Loux remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Loux faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.