Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Charges in Sioux City

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and distributed methamphetamine has pleaded guilty in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa.

Jose Duenas-Topete, 29, from Hawarden, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Duenas-Topete admitted that from January 2020 and April 2, 2022, he and others in the conspiracy distributed at least 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine in the Sioux City, Iowa area. On April 2, 2022, law enforcement conducted a controlled drug buy operation from defendant and his co-conspirators. Duenas-Topete distributed over 3 kilograms of pure methamphetamine in exchange for $5,000. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Duenas-Topete was a passenger and seized approximately one pound of methamphetamine near where defendant was sitting. Duenas-Topete further admitted that he received four shipments, each containing 5-6 pounds of methamphetamine from sources in Mexico to distribute to persons in the Sioux City and Plymouth County, Iowa areas.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Duenas-Topete remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On each conviction, Duenas-Topete faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that 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.

Defendant Information:

• Defendant Name: Jose Duenas-Topete
• Exact Criminal Charges: one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine
• City and State: Sioux City, Iowa
• Exact Date: October 12, 2022
• Sentence or Outcome: Duenas-Topete remains in custody pending sentencing
• Dollar Amounts: $10,000,000 fine, at least $5,000

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