A Spencer, Iowa, couple has pled guilty to conspiring to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, a crime that could land them in prison for life. Vicki Shannon, 50, and John Gekas, 46, from Spencer, Iowa, were convicted of conspiring to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine in federal court in Sioux City on May 8, 2013.
At the plea hearing, Shannon and Gekas each admitted their involvement in a conspiracy from about 2010 through January 2013 that manufactured and distributed more than 50 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. The couple’s guilty pleas are the result of a thorough investigation that uncovered their illicit activities.
According to pseudoephedrine purchase logs obtained in the investigation, starting in January 2010 through December 2012, Gekas acquired at least 96.48 grams of pseudoephedrine and starting in August 2010 through January 2013, Shannon acquired at least 136.9 grams of pseudoephedrine for the manufacture of methamphetamine. These purchases are a clear indication of the couple’s involvement in the methamphetamine trade.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after presentence reports are prepared. Shannon and Gekas were taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty pleas and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a special assessment of $100, and five years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The thorough investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combating the methamphetamine trade in Iowa.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 13-4007. This case serves as a reminder of the seriousness of methamphetamine-related crimes and the severe penalties that those convicted of these crimes can face. As the case moves forward, the people of Spencer, Iowa, and surrounding communities can be assured that justice is being served.
The methamphetamine trade is a serious issue that affects communities across the United States. The conviction of Shannon and Gekas is a significant step in the fight against this trade, and it demonstrates the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the judicial system. As the sentencing phase of this case approaches, it is clear that the couple will face severe penalties for their crimes, and it is hoped that this will serve as a deterrent to others who may be involved in similar activities.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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