Meth & Mayhem: Gomez Gets 19 Years

SIOUX CITY, IA – Esequiel Gomez, 35, of Denver, Colorado, is facing nearly two decades behind bars after being sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment on June 26, 2024, for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of that crime. The sentence, handed down by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand, reflects the gravity of Gomez’s actions and the danger he posed to the public.

The case unfolded on April 27, 2022, when law enforcement responded to a triggered alarm at the Sioux City Ford Lincoln car dealership. Gomez brazenly broke into the dealership, making off with a stolen F-350 pickup truck while an accomplice waited nearby in a U-Haul van. The ensuing pursuit on Highway 75 quickly escalated, with Gomez exceeding 100 miles per hour in a reckless attempt to evade capture. As they fled, the pair tossed items from the vehicles, attempting to ditch evidence.

The high-speed chase culminated in a violent crash in Le Mars, Iowa, when Gomez slammed the stolen pickup into a parked car. Both Gomez and his accomplice sustained injuries and were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. But the wreckage revealed far more than just damaged vehicles. A search of the vehicles and the roadside uncovered a massive haul of contraband: over 150 pounds of stolen marijuana originating from a Colorado dispensary, approximately one pound of methamphetamine, three firearms, and a substantial quantity of other stolen property.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Gomez isn’t a stranger to the law. He has a “significant number” of outstanding warrants in Colorado related to previous auto thefts, painting a picture of a repeat offender with a blatant disregard for the law. Gomez pleaded guilty on October 13, 2022, acknowledging his role in the criminal enterprise. The 19-year sentence ensures he will remain off the streets for a considerable period, and is followed by five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.

Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood skillfully prosecuted the case, while a multi-agency task force spearheaded the investigation. The Tri-State Drug Task Force, comprised of personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Sioux City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, South Sioux City Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Iowa National Guard, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, United States Marshals Service, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office, worked tirelessly to bring Gomez to justice. Gomez remains in the custody of the United States Marshals awaiting transport to a federal correctional facility. There is no parole in the federal system.

Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Case file number is 22-4045. Follow the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on Twitter @USAO_NDIA for further updates.