Sioux City, Iowa — A Hawarden man has pled guilty to the charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on August 13, 2020, in federal court in Sioux City.
According to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office, 30-year-old Ernesto Soto of Hawarden, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Soto admitted that on February 5, 2020, a Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Soto was traveling in. Upon conducting a probable cause search within the vehicle, law enforcement discovered approximately 34 grams methamphetamine, 1.6 grams cocaine, baggies, and a glass smoking device with residue located in a black bag that belonged to Soto. The methamphetamine, cocaine, and baggies were concealed in a pop can with a false bottom. At least 5 grams, of the approximately 34 grams, was actual (pure) methamphetamine.
On May 19, 2014, Soto was convicted in the Iowa District Court for Sioux County, of intent to manufacture/deliver methamphetamine under 5 grams.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Soto remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Soto faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.
