SIOUX CITY – This Mason City man with a history of drug crimes will spend at least 5 years in a federal prison – but potentially much more – after he brought meth to the Cerro Gordo county jail.
Todd Aaron Howard Hamilton Sutton, Jr., age 33, from Mason City, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of pure methamphetamine.
In a plea agreement, Sutton admitted that on July 27, 2024, he was the driver of a vehicle pulled over for a traffic violation in Cerro Gordo County. He was arrested for driving while barred and taken to the Cerro Gordo County Jail. While being booked into the jail, law enforcement found a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine on his person.
Records show Sutton was free on probation when this crime occurred, after committing crimes on January 22, 2024, with all charges brought by Mason City police. The crimes included: felony possession of contraband and felony drug possession. A judge gave Sutton a suspended 5-year prison sentence and probation, which he is currently in court for violating.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Sutton was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Sutton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and 4 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department.