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Meth Kingpin Sentenced to 17 Years Behind Bars
A Cedar Rapids man who sold methamphetamine from his home near Wilson Middle School has been sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison.
Daniel Wayne Melsha, age 26, received the prison term after a February 22, 2018 guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that Melsha lived in a residence in Cedar Rapids, which was within 1,000 feet of Wilson Middle School. On September 28 and October 4, 2017, Melsha sold another person a half an ounce of methamphetamine at Melsha’s home.
On October 5, 2017, police investigators executed a search warrant at Melsha’s residence, where they found over 70 grams of “ice” methamphetamine and 41 guns, including revolvers, semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Police arrested Melsha the same day.
Melsha was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade. Melsha was sentenced to 211 months’ imprisonment and must also serve an eight-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Melsha is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ravi T. Narayan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Muscatine County Drug Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service.
The case file number is 17-CR-86-LRR. The defendant is being held without bail until he can be transported to a federal prison. Melsha’s crime is a stark reminder of the dangers of methamphetamine and the importance of community vigilance in preventing drug trafficking in our neighborhoods.
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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