Fourteen people are facing federal charges following a joint state and federal investigation into an alleged methamphetamine trafficking organization in central Iowa.
Eleven defendants were arrested Tuesday as authorities executed 10 federal search warrants in Marshalltown, Perry and Des Moines. Authorities say the searches resulted in the seizure of $21,193, six firearms and 18 phones.
Federal prosecutors say the defendants are charged across two indictments with offenses including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and money laundering.
Among those charged are 31-year-old Jose Manuel Yepez Junior of Marshalltown, 24-year-old Marisol Ordaz Buenrostro of Perry and 25-year-old Micaela Rivera of Des Moines. Eight other defendants listed by federal prosecutors are from Marshalltown.
Three defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, while the others face various methamphetamine-related charges. Depending on the charge, convictions could carry penalties ranging from mandatory minimum prison sentences to as much as life in prison.
Eleven defendants have made initial appearances in federal court. Trial is currently scheduled for November 30th. Three individuals charged in the case had not yet appeared in court at the time of the announcement.
The investigation involved the FBI, ATF, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and several local law enforcement agencies and drug task forces.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.