CEDAR RAPIDS – A man who distributed methamphetamine out of his residence, conspired to have a government witness assaulted, and sexually abused multiple women was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.
Justin Michael Buehler, age 39, from Oelwein, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 9, 2022 jury verdict finding him guilty of two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
The evidence at trial showed that Buehler distributed methamphetamine to an employee at his workplace. In January 2019, law enforcement agents coordinated with the employee to set up two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Buehler’s home. The agents surveilled both purchases.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. At sentencing, the Court found Buehler obstructed justice by conspiring with his cell mates to have one of the government’s witnesses physically assaulted before trial. The Court also found that two witnesses credibly testified that Buehler convinced them to come to his residence, provided substances to them, and sexually assaulted them multiple times.
The Court credited Buehler with at least 15 adult criminal convictions and found he qualified as a career offender under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
Buehler was sentenced to serve 360 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 6-year term of supervised release following his term of incarceration. There is no parole in the federal system. Buehler remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Dorval Norwood and Pat Reinert. The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
