Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Conspiracy
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine has pleaded guilty in a federal court in Sioux City, Iowa. Lee Charles Mercer, 42, from Galva, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, a charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and at least ten years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The guilty plea was entered on August 21, 2018, in the case of United States v. Lee Charles Mercer, 18-4018. At the plea hearing, Mercer admitted that from November 2017 through March 2018, he was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 2500 grams of methamphetamine mixture in and around Galva, Iowa.
On March 12, 2018, Mercer was stopped for a traffic violation in Woodbury County, Iowa. During law enforcement’s consent to search Mercer’s vehicle, approximately 4 ounces of methamphetamine was seized in four separate baggies, along with $5,000 in cash. Mercer admitted he planned to distribute the methamphetamine to other persons and use the $5,000 to purchase a pound of methamphetamine later in Sioux City, Iowa.
Lee Charles Mercer has a history of felony drug offenses, having been previously convicted in the Iowa District Court in 2013, 2004, and 1998.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux City Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory.
The sentencing hearing for Mercer will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Mercer remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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