Jaime Candelario-Mercado, Meth and Gun Convictions, Iowa 2020

A Webster City man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after conspiring to distribute methamphetamine while possessing a firearm, Grimy Times has learned.

Jaime Candelario-Mercado, 38, of Webster City, Iowa, received the prison term after pleading guilty on August 28, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

According to court documents, Candelario-Mercado admitted to conspiring with others to distribute more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine in the Webster City and Eagle Grove area from April 2018 to January 2019.

On June 2018, Candelario-Mercado was arrested along with another person with about 2 ounces of marijuana, 2 ounces of methamphetamine, and a loaded handgun.

On six separate occasions in January 2019, Candelario-Mercado and another distributed over 190 grams of pure methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.

Candelario-Mercado was sentenced to 144 months' imprisonment and must serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Wright County, Iowa Sheriff's Office, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/webster-city-man-sentenced-meth-and-gun-convictions