Belloso-Valle Jailed

Esmelin Belloso-Valle, 49, from Sibley, Iowa, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine conspiracy. Belloso-Valle pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine on September 20, 2012.

According to court documents, Belloso-Valle was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 150 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine from 2011 through April 2012. On multiple occasions, Belloso-Valle and others involved in the conspiracy distributed more than 200 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine during controlled drug transactions with law enforcement.

One of these distributions occurred within 1000 feet of Dale Street Park in Sioux City, Iowa. During the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement officers located over 208 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine that was for future distribution as part of the conspiracy.

Belloso-Valle was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett to 81 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $200 was imposed, and he must also serve an 8-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa. The task force consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, 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.

Belloso-Valle is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, with the case file number being 12-4060. This sentence serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of involvement in methamphetamine distribution and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat this issue.