67 Pounds of Ice: Beteme Gets 10 Years

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Juan Beteme Amezquita, 42, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is headed for a decade behind bars after a federal judge handed down a 120-month sentence for possession with intent to distribute a staggering 67 pounds of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge James E. Gritzner delivered the sentence on May 15, 2017, effectively removing a significant player in the cross-country drug pipeline.

The bust originated with a routine traffic stop in Council Bluffs. But what began as a minor infraction quickly spiraled into a major drug seizure when officers discovered the massive quantity of meth hidden within a trailer Beteme was hauling. The drugs weren’t just carelessly tossed about; they were meticulously concealed inside a newly purchased freezer, then tightly wrapped in plastic – a clear indication of premeditation and a serious intent to distribute.

According to court documents, Beteme confessed to transporting the methamphetamine from Los Angeles, California, with the ultimate destination being Minnesota. He wasn’t simply moving a personal stash; this was a commercial operation, a blatant attempt to flood the Midwest with highly addictive and destructive narcotics. The sheer volume of the drug suggests a well-established network, though investigators have yet to publicly detail the scope of the organization.

United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel announced the sentencing, highlighting the collaborative effort that brought Beteme to justice. The Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office all contributed to the investigation, demonstrating a unified front against drug trafficking in the region. This wasn’t a solo operation; it was a coordinated takedown.

Following his prison term, Beteme will be subject to three years of supervised release, a period intended to monitor his behavior and prevent recidivism. But for a trafficker moving this quantity of meth, the odds of returning to a life of crime are high. The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa handled the prosecution, sending a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated in the state.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments regarding Beteme’s associates or the broader drug network he was allegedly involved in. For further information, contact Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300 or Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov.