Dustin Coates, Meth Conspiracy, Iowa 2023

A Cherokee, Iowa man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a massive methamphetamine conspiracy.

Dustin Coates, 36, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine after a lengthy investigation by the Tri-State Drug Task Force.

According to court documents, Coates admitted to his involvement in a conspiracy that distributed at least 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, including 150 grams of pure methamphetamine, from March 2021 through March 8, 2022.

On March 8, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Coates was driving. Coates threw two baggies of methamphetamine from his person while attempting to flee the traffic stop on foot.

Coates was sentenced on March 7, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City to 180 months' imprisonment. He must also serve 10 years of supervised release after the term of imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force, which 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.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/cherokee-iowa-man-sentenced-15-years-meth-conspiracy