Labenz Gets Five Years for Meth Run

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – William Labenz, 38, of Omaha, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to five years for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation. U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose handed down the sentence on June 4, 2019, followed by five years of supervised release. The case, prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, exposes the relentless flow of drugs across state lines and the individuals profiting from addiction.

The investigation, launched in late 2017, targeted a drug trafficking organization responsible for flooding western Iowa and eastern Nebraska with substantial quantities of methamphetamine. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, working in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, meticulously tracked the organization’s movements and identified key players, including Labenz.

The break in the case came on March 4, 2018, when law enforcement conducted a routine traffic stop. The driver, identified as William Labenz, was found to be driving under suspension. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a quarter pound of methamphetamine stashed in the trunk – a clear indicator of something far more serious than a simple traffic violation.

The investigation didn’t stop there. On April 26, 2018, authorities executed a search warrant at Labenz’s residence. The search yielded additional methamphetamine, along with drug scales and plastic baggies, solidifying the evidence that Labenz wasn’t just a user, but an active participant in the distribution network. The evidence confirmed Labenz was a transporter for the organization, moving the deadly drug throughout the region.

“This sentence sends a clear message to those involved in drug trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. “We will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute individuals who contribute to the spread of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs in our communities.” The collaborative effort involved multiple agencies, including the Omaha Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.

Labenz’s five-year sentence is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate the remaining members of the drug trafficking organization, aiming to dismantle the entire network and stem the tide of methamphetamine flooding Iowa and Nebraska. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.