United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Richard Martinez, 30, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing and aiding and abetting another’s possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

Martinez pled guilty on July 24, 2025. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on July 17, 2024, law enforcement was conducting surveillance at WinnaVegas Casino (near Sloan, Iowa) and observed a vehicle traveling away from the casino over the speed limit.  Law enforcement attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle, which took off at high-speed to elude police. As police followed, they observed two packages of methamphetamine thrown out the passenger window.  The thrown meth (approximately ½ pound) was later located and seized by law enforcement. Martinez admitted that the driver of the vehicle handed him the methamphetamine and instructed him to throw it out of the window to avoid their apprehension with the methamphetamine in their possession. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Martinez was sentenced to 65 months’ imprisonment and must serve four years of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Martinez remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.  

The case was investigated by the 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, and the DEA Laboratory. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde.