Manzos Guilty of Meth Conspiracy

A married couple from Fredericksburg, Iowa, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute pseudoephedrine for the use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Enrique Manzo, 36, and his wife Jessica Manzo, 31, admitted to agreeing with each other and others to collect pseudoephedrine and sell or trade it to a methamphetamine cook.

The couple’s plea hearings revealed that they purchased pseudoephedrine from pharmacies themselves, but also received pills from other sources. Pharmacy surveillance video captured other people buying pseudoephedrine and meeting Enrique or Jessica Manzo in the parking lot to hand them the pills.

The investigation into the Manzos’ activities was led by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Northeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, which includes law enforcement officials from the Decorah Police Department, West Union Police Department, Postville Police Department, Monona Police Department, Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, and Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

Enrique and Jessica Manzo each face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. They remain in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing, which will be set after a presentence report is prepared.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, with the case file number CR 13-2019.

The guilty plea is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat methamphetamine production in Iowa. The use of pseudoephedrine in the manufacture of methamphetamine is a critical component of the production process, and the Manzos’ conspiracy has been disrupted as a result of the investigation and prosecution.

As the case moves towards sentencing, it serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of involvement in the production and distribution of methamphetamine. The Manzos’ actions have been deemed a serious threat to public safety, and their guilty plea reflects the commitment of law enforcement agencies to hold individuals accountable for such crimes.