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October 25, 2022Sioux City, IA, United StatesNarcotics

Iowa woman pleads guilty to federal meth conspiracy following HSI, joint law enforcement partner investigation

Conspired to distribute more than 15 kilograms of meth

SOUIX CITY, Iowa – A local woman who conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine pleaded guilty in federal court Oct. 21, following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and joint law enforcement partner investigation.

Kimberly Hansen, 58, of Sioux City, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Evidence at the plea hearing showed Hansen was involved in a conspiracy that distributed at least 15 kilograms of methamphetamine from June 2017 through August 2019. Via mail, Hansen received multiple ounces to pounds of methamphetamine for a local conspiracy leader. Hansen also traveled to California at least six times to acquire pounds of methamphetamine which she brought back to Sioux City for redistribution.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Hansen was taken into custody by the United States Marshal Service (USMS) after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Hansen 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 United States Postal Service, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City that consists of law enforcement personnel from HSI; Drug Enforcement Administration, Sioux City Police Department; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; USMS; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.

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

HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat dangerous narcotics in your community on Twitter @HSIKansasCity.

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