Mason City Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking
A Mason City man who sold pounds of methamphetamine and illegally possessed firearms in furtherance of his drug distribution has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
Andrew Lofton, 48, of Mason City, received the prison term on after a May 17, 2024, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings revealed that between January 2023, and continuing through April 2023, Lofton distributed approximately six pounds of methamphetamine. On several occasions during this time, Lofton sold methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with the government. On April 20, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lofton’s residence in Mason City and found drug distribution-related items, and multiple firearms.
Lofton was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 190 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Lofton 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’s Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons.
According to court documents, Lofton distributed methamphetamine in Mason City, Iowa. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Lofton pleaded guilty to these charges on May 17, 2024, and was sentenced to 190 months in prison.
Lofton’s sentence marks a significant blow to the methamphetamine trafficking ring he was involved in. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department worked tirelessly to bring Lofton to justice. This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of methamphetamine and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Lofton is currently being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. He will serve a five-year term of supervised release after completing his prison sentence.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Andrew Lofton
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
City and State: Mason City, Iowa
Date: May 17, 2024 (sentencing), January 2023 – April 2023 (crime date)
Sentence: 190 months’ imprisonment and a five-year term of supervised release
Case File Number: 23-3013
https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News