SIOUX CITY – An Omaha man who possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in the North Iowa area pled guilty on June 12, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City and faces a long prison sentence.
Jose L. Velez, Sr. (pictured at top), age 39, from Omaha, Nebraska, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Velez admitted on or about February 23, 2024, he knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine.
On February 23, 2024, at 4:41 PM, investigators with the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department conducted a controlled take down of Velez Sr. Cops caught the suspect at 24th Street SW and South Monroe Avenue in Mason City. A search of the suspect’s stopped vehicle was conducted, and approximately 9 pounds of Ice Methamphetamine was recovered.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Velez remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Velez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.Â
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Clear Lake Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Mason City Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office.
