SIOUX CITY, IA – Andrew Smith, a 32-year-old resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa, has confessed to his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution network that flooded the state for years. Smith pled guilty on April 7, 2017, in federal court, admitting to conspiracy to distribute the deadly drug.
The conspiracy, according to court documents, stretched from 2012 through November 2016, moving at least 5 kilograms of methamphetamine mixture. This wasn’t small-time dealing; we’re talking about a significant operation. Smith wasn’t just a bystander, either. On two separate occasions in 2015, authorities found him with over 27 grams of actual, pure methamphetamine – enough to supply a whole network of users.
Smith admitted in court that he intended to distribute this potent drug to others, furthering the cycle of addiction and devastation. The investigation, a joint effort between multiple law enforcement agencies, clearly demonstrated Smith’s central role in the operation. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was a calculated attempt to profit from the misery of others.
Now, Smith is cooling his heels in the custody of the United States Marshal, awaiting sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. A presentence report will be prepared to assess the full scope of his criminal activity. Don’t expect a slap on the wrist. Smith faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars. The maximum? A lifetime sentence.
Beyond imprisonment, Smith is looking at a potential $10,000,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and at least five years of supervised release – if he ever gets out. Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn S. Wehde and Ajay Alexander are prosecuting the case, built on the groundwork laid by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Fort Dodge Police Department.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, case file number 16-3048. Stay informed and follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA for updates on federal crime in the Northern District of Iowa.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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