DAKOTA CITY, IOWA – Nathan Nickless, 40, is headed for a long stretch behind bars. The Humboldt County man was sentenced yesterday to 25 years – 300 months – in federal prison after pleading guilty to a laundry list of offenses: two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and failing to show up for his own trial. This isn’t just about drugs; it’s about a reckless disregard for the law and a brazen attempt to evade justice.
The trouble began August 12, 2023, in Fort Dodge. When law enforcement tried to pull over the truck Nickless was driving, he floored it, leading officers on a chase that ended with him ramming a civilian vehicle. He ditched the truck and bolted on foot, a backpack slung over his shoulder. That backpack? Packed with approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, pills, THC gummies, a loaded 9mm pistol, ammunition, a scale, and baggies – everything a drug dealer needs to ply his trade. He was initially released pending trial, a decision that would quickly prove to be a mistake.
Nickless wasn’t sticking around for his July 8, 2024, trial date. He disappeared, becoming a fugitive for several months. But law enforcement didn’t forget. On September 28, 2024, they got a tip he was back in Humboldt County. Another pursuit ensued, another abandoned vehicle, another desperate attempt to lose officers in a riverside field. This time, they seized the vehicle and a search warrant revealed even more evidence: more methamphetamine, marijuana, pills, scales, and packaging materials. Nickless was found hiding in a Humboldt County residence on October 2, 2024, and finally brought into custody.
The evidence presented at the hearings painted a clear picture of a repeat offender with no intention of changing his ways. This wasn’t a first-time mistake. Nickless had a prior serious drug felony conviction, further complicating his situation. U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand wasn’t buying any excuses. The 300-month sentence sends a clear message: Iowa will not tolerate this level of criminal activity. And for those wondering, there’s no parole in the federal system – Nickless will serve every single day of that sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick T. Greenwood handled the prosecution, with a multi-agency investigation led by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Dodge Police Department, Iowa DCI Laboratory, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Nickless is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals, awaiting transport to a designated federal prison. Court file information can be found here (case file number 23-3040). Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on X @USAO_NDIA.
This case is another stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against the flow of illicit drugs into our communities. The Grimy Times will continue to report on the individuals who profit from misery and the law enforcement officials working tirelessly to bring them to justice.
RELATED: Meth Man Nickless Gets 25 Years in Federal Prison
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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