Sioux City Man Selling Meth, Cocaine, and Heroin Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

Law enforcement seized more than 2 pounds of cocaine, approximately11 pounds of methamphetamine, 20 grams of heroin, and two loaded guns from Yodprasit’s residence

A Sioux City man selling methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin from his home pled guilty on May 18, 2020 in federal court in Sioux City.

Monee Yodprasit, age 42, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In a plea agreement, Yodprasit admitted that between June of 2019 and November 2019, he conspired to sell more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine.  On November 7, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Yodprasit’s residence where they seized more than 2 pounds of cocaine, approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 20 grams of heroin or fentanyl, two loaded handguns in the vicinity of the drugs, and approximately $24,000 in cash.  Yodprasit told law enforcement officers that he began dealing drugs after getting out of prison for dealing drugs because he could not find a job.  Yodprasit’s criminal history includes a conviction from the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Case No. 98-CR-40170-1, for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and distribution of a controlled substance, a felony drug offense, and a serious drug felony, for which he previously served more than 12 months of imprisonment.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Yodprasit remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  On the conspiracy charge, Yodprasit faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment and the following maximum penalties: up to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $20,000,000; and a term of supervised release of at least 10 years up to life.  On the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Yodprasit faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years' imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed, and a maximum term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $250,000; and a term of supervised release of up to five years.  And for possession of a firearm by a felon, Yodprasit faces maximum penalties of: not more than 10 years' imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $250,000; and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and 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.  This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/ag/page/file/1217186/download.