WEST UNION, IOWA – A local man who distributed methamphetamine and then sexually assaulted a woman has been sentenced to 16+ years in federal prison, according to authorities.
Herman Lee Ronnfeldt, 56, of West Union, Iowa, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on January 15, 2021, and was sentenced on June 25, 2021, to 224 months in prison, which was adjusted to 194 months and 20 days due to time served.
Ronnfeldt’s crimes occurred in late 2018, when law enforcement officers searched his apartment and found over 80 grams of methamphetamine, according to information from sentencing. Witnesses testified that Ronnfeldt regularly distributed the drug to people at his apartment, including the woman who was sexually assaulted.
The assault occurred after Ronnfeldt distributed methamphetamine to the woman, causing her to feel ill. He then took advantage of her vulnerable state and committed the heinous crime.
Ronnfeldt is a convicted sex offender, and Judge C.J. Williams of the United States District Court in Cedar Rapids noted that his criminal conduct had not slowed down with age. In fact, Ronnfeldt continued to distribute dangerous drugs and commit sexual assaults, earning him a harsh sentence.
Ronnfeldt must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after completing his prison term, which will be served in a federal facility. He is currently being held in the custody of the United States Marshals until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the West Union Police Department, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. The case file number is 20-CR-2026, and information can be found at ecf.iand.uscourts.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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