Sioux City Man to Federal Prison for Meth Trafficking

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced on July 28, 2021, to six years in federal prison.

Derek Wilkens, 35, from Sioux City, Iowa, plead guilty on March 4, 2021, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that between about May 2019 through about August 28, 2019, Wilkens and others distributed at least 3 pounds of methamphetamine. Evidence further showed that on August 28, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence of one of Wilken's sources of supply in Sioux City, Iowa. During the execution of the search, Wilkens possessed approximately 88 grams of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Wilkens remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. Wilkens was sentenced to 72 months' imprisonment and a term of 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood 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.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 20-4038.

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