SIOUX CITY, IA – Shirley Schmitt, 54, of Early, Iowa, is staring down a potential life sentence after a federal jury found her guilty May 16, 2013, of conspiring to cook and distribute methamphetamine. The verdict, delivered after three days of testimony in U.S. District Court, caps a lengthy investigation into a significant drug operation in northwest Iowa.
Schmitt was convicted on one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture the deadly drug. Prosecutors laid out evidence showing Schmitt actively participated in the production and distribution of 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine between 2010 and July 2012. The scale of the operation suggests this wasn’t a small-time hobby; it was a serious attempt to flood the region with meth.
The case hinged on purchase logs detailing Schmitt’s acquisition of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamine production. Investigators discovered Schmitt herself obtained at least 98 grams of the substance, and orchestrated the procurement of an additional 400 grams through others – trading the drug for more meth, essentially running a barter system fueled by addiction. The evidence painted a picture of a calculated and persistent effort to bypass regulations and manufacture illegal substances.
The sting that sealed Schmitt’s fate came on June 28, 2012, when she accepted pseudoephedrine from an undercover law enforcement officer, explicitly agreeing to use it to manufacture methamphetamine. This direct involvement, caught on record, proved damning for the defense. It wasn’t simply about possessing ingredients; it was a confirmed agreement to *make* the drug.
United States District Court Judge Donald E. O’Brien will determine Schmitt’s sentence after a presentence report is completed. Currently free on bond, Schmitt faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, with a maximum sentence of life. She also faces up to 20 years on the pseudoephedrine possession charge. Fines could total $10,250,000, and she could be subject to supervised release for the rest of her life.
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, along with the Sac County Sheriff’s Office, Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, Storm Lake Police Department, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde prosecuted the case. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl; case file number 12-4076.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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