SIOUX CITY – A California man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced June 3, 2022, to more than five years in federal prison.
Felton Fitzgerald, 52, from Orange, California, received the prison term after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on this same date.
Evidence at the combined plea and sentencing hearings showed that Fitzgerald was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 22 kilograms of methamphetamine from June 2017 through August 2019. Defendant was the broker between California sources of supply and a Sioux City, Iowa drug trafficking organization led by three-time convicted federal felon, Melroy Johnson Sr. The Johnson organization obtained methamphetamine and cocaine via bulk transportation and the mail.
Fitzgerald was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Fitzgerald was sentenced to 67 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Fitzgerald 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the United States Postal Service, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office, and the Cypress (CA) Police Department.
