Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Possessing Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute
A Fort Dodge man has been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Gary Darnell Black, 44, was sentenced to 178 months’ imprisonment on November 28, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Sioux City division.
According to court documents, Black was arrested on August 8, 2017, and subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. In a plea agreement, Black admitted to possessing approximately 64 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine, 1.687 kilograms of marijuana, a digital scale, and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop.
Black’s lengthy criminal history was a significant factor in the sentencing. The government presented evidence that he had accumulated 48 criminal convictions since 1993, with 23 of those convictions occurring in the past 24 years. His prior convictions included drug offenses, theft offenses, assaults, and interference with official acts, one of which resulted in an officer sustaining serious head and neck injuries.
Black’s sentence includes a special assessment of $100 and a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. He is currently being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Ajay Alexander and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Sac County Sheriff’s Office, and Storm Lake Police Department.
Black’s case serves as a stark reminder of the severity of the methamphetamine epidemic in Iowa and the need for continued law enforcement efforts to combat it. The sentencing of Gary Darnell Black to 178 months’ imprisonment sends a clear message that those who engage in methamphetamine trafficking will face serious consequences.
The case file number is 17-CR-4032, and court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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