United States of America v. Oscar Navarro-Zepeda

Cedar Rapids, IA criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possession of firearm by prohibited person; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Spencer, Iowa Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Meth and Gun Convictions

Oscar Navarro-Zepeda, 43, from Spencer, Iowa, was convicted by a jury on August 22, 2024, after a 3 ½ day trial in federal court in Sioux City. Navarro-Zepeda was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of firearm by prohibited person; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.



Evidence at the trial showed that between April 2021 and April 2023, in the Northern District of Iowa and elsewhere Navarro-Zepeda was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 31 kilograms of methamphetamine. Evidence also showed that on April 18, 2023, during a search warrant at Navarro-Zepeda's residence in Spencer, Iowa, law enforcement seized approximately 33 pounds of methamphetamine in separate one-pound packages, which he intended to distribute to others in the Spencer, Iowa, area. Officers also seized $17,932; an AR-15 style .223 caliber rifle, two loaded magazines, other .223 ammunition, as well as various items of drug distribution and use paraphernalia. Navarro-Zepeda was prohibited from possessing firearms and possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking, to protect himself, his drugs and drug proceeds from others.



Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Navarro-Zepeda was sentenced to 204 months' imprisonment and must serve a term of five years of supervised release following imprisonment.­ There is no parole in the federal system. Navarro-Zepeda remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.



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