Meth Kingpin Sentenced to Over 13 Years Behind Bars

Grimy Times has learned that a notorious meth kingpin has been sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison. Somsock Senlouangrat, 45, of Tacoma, Washington, was handed the lengthy sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and failure to appear.

According to court documents, Senlouangrat and co-conspirator Daosadeth Keophounsouk were stopped by law enforcement in Monona County, Iowa, in September 2003. At the time, the pair was transporting approximately two pounds of methamphetamine from California to Minnesota for further distribution. A Smith and Wesson handgun was also found in the vehicle, which Senlouangrat had purchased for their protection during the transport of methamphetamine.

Senlouangrat admitted to absconding from pretrial supervision sometime during November 2003 until his apprehension by the United States Marshals Service on June 19, 2015, in Tacoma, Washington.

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Senlouangrat to 160 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $300 was also imposed, and Senlouangrat must serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Senlouangrat is currently 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force, a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

The Tri-State Drug Task Force consists of personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Sioux City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, South Sioux City Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Iowa National Guard, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, United States Marshals Service, and South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

The case file number is 16-4001 and 03-4106. For more information, visit the court’s website at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.