United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Damian Havens, 52, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

At the plea hearing, Havens admitted that between March and May 2026, he and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine in Sioux City.  Evidence showed that in those two months Havens was involved in the distribution of more than 1 ½ pounds of methamphetamine.  On May 7, 2026, law enforcement was called to check on a suspicious person (and oddly parked vehicle), later identified as Havens.  Officers seized about ¼ pound of methamphetamine and an airsoft pistol in Havens’ backpack.  Havens admitted he planned to distribute the methamphetamine. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Havens remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Havens faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde.