Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine and Possessing a Gun During a Drug Trafficking Crime

Gomez admitted selling approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine from his home

A Sioux City man who distributed approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine from his residence pled guilty today, March 25, 2020, in federal court in Sioux City.

Carlos Jose Gomez, age 37, from Sioux City, Iowa was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Gomez’s property where they seized approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded handgun, and $1,000 in cash belonging to Gomez.  In a plea agreement, Gomez admitted to selling nearly 4 pounds of “ice” methamphetamine from December of 2019 through March 4, 2020.  Gomez also admitted to knowingly possessing a gun in furtherance of selling methamphetamine.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Gomez remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  For Count 1, Gomez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.  For Count 2, Gomez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, or both without the possibility of parole, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.