Webster County Man to Federal Prison for Meth Conspiracy

 Conspiracy involved over 25 kilograms of meth distribution by previously convicted felony drug trafficker

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced July 14, 2021, to more than 17 years in federal prison.

Russell Gentry, 32, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 7, 2021, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  On January 8, 2018, Gentry was convicted in the Iowa District Court for Marshall County, of Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine) with Intent to Deliver.

Evidence at the hearings showed that between January 2020 and continuing to on or about July 27, 2020, Gentry and others distributed more than 25 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Webster County, Iowa area.  In July 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gentry’s residence.  During the search, officers seized 15 pounds of methamphetamine, $3,700 cash and two ounces of marijuana.  Each pound of methamphetamine was individually wrapped.  Officers also seized drug trafficking paraphernalia including, packaging material, a digital scale and numerous cell phones.  Gentry admitted he intended to distribute some or all of the methamphetamine seized by law enforcement.           

Gentry was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Gentry was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Gentry 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 of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Dodge Police Department, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.