Ernesto Soto, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Iowa 2020

Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Trafficking

Ernesto Soto, 30, from Hawarden, Iowa, is facing serious consequences after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in federal court in Sioux City.

According to court documents, on February 5, 2020, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Soto was traveling in. During the stop, law enforcement discovered approximately 34 grams of methamphetamine, 1.6 grams of cocaine, baggies, and a glass smoking device with residue located in a black bag that belonged to Soto.

The methamphetamine, cocaine, and baggies were concealed in a pop can with a false bottom. At least 5 grams of the approximately 34 grams was actual (pure) methamphetamine. This is not Soto’s first run-in with the law, as he was previously convicted in the Iowa District Court for Sioux County on May 19, 2014, of intent to manufacture/deliver methamphetamine under 5 grams.

Soto is currently in the custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. According to the plea agreement, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was 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.

Soto’s sentencing will be set after a presentence report is prepared. The case file number is 20-4033. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

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Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/sioux-county-man-pleads-guilty-possession-intent-distribute-meth