A California woman was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for her role in a methamphetamine conspiracy that distributed at least 300 grams of the illicit substance in Iowa.
Jocelyn Mendoza, 23, of Selma, California, was sentenced on May 15, 2019, to 32 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Mendoza must also serve a five year term of supervised release following her imprisonment.
At her plea hearing on November 15, 2018, Mendoza admitted to being involved in a conspiracy that distributed at least 300 grams of methamphetamine. Evidence presented at the hearing showed that Mendoza traveled by bus from Fresno, California to Sioux City, Iowa with approximately ¼ pound of methamphetamine hidden inside of a neck rest. Her co-conspirator and she intended to distribute the methamphetamine in Sioux City.
The conspiracy had previously transported ½ lb of meth from California to Iowa on multiple occasions for redistribution.
Mendoza was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde. The case was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, which consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Iowa National Guard, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, United States Marshals Service, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Mendoza remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until she can be transported to a federal prison. Her case file number is 18-4076.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa can be followed on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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