CEDAR RAPIDS – A Mason City man caught toting baggies of meth will spend many years behind bars in a federal prison.
Andrew Snyder (pictured at top), age 56, from Mason City, Iowa, was sentenced today to more than 18 years in federal prison after a March 13, 2024, guilty plea to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual pure methamphetamine, and 2 counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual pure methamphetamine. Evidence in the case revealed that between July 2023 and August 2023, Snyder conspired to distribute pound-quantities of methamphetamine in the Mason City area. Law Enforcement utilized a confidential source to conduct a controlled purchase where Snyder exchanged approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine for cash and was in possession of approximately a pound more. On another occasion, during a traffic stop, Snyder was found to have six baggies containing approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine. Snyder has three previous convictions for trafficking methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Snyder was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 220 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Snyder is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons.