Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth Conspiracy

 Minich conspired to distribute meth in the Fort Dodge area.

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced June 25, 2021, to more than 8 years in federal prison.

Joshua Minich, 43, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 22, 2021, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

At the guilty plea, Minich admitted his involvement from August 2017 through February 2018 in a conspiracy that distributed more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area. Evidence showed that on three occasions in 2017 and 2018, Minich distributed meth to individuals cooperating with law enforcement. Evidence further showed that Minich possessed various firearms at various times in 2017 and 2018, including during the time period of his participation in the methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. 

Minich was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Minich was sentenced to 105 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Minich is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by Iowa Division Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.