Meth Kingpin Busted

⏱ 2 min read

Clayton Brown, a 34-year-old Lake City, Iowa resident, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The guilty plea was entered on March 18, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City. Brown’s crimes involved distributing at least four pounds of methamphetamine over an eight-month period in 2025, with two instances of selling over 80 grams of pure meth to a cooperating individual in October 2025.

Brown’s home was searched, and officers found a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, marijuana, over $2,000 in cash, and other items related to drug distribution. His prior seven felony convictions prohibited him from possessing guns, making his firearm possession a serious offense.

Brown faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to combat transnational criminal organizations and protect communities from violent crime.

The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde is prosecuting the case.