A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed methamphetamine with intent to distribute it was sentenced April 26, 2010, to 15 years in federal prison.

Jolene Sorenson, 51, from Dayton, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 25, 2010, guilty plea to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sorenson was previously convicted of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance, third offense, in Story County, Iowa, on January 7, 2002. Sorenson was also previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver on December 17, 1996, and failure to have a drug tax stamp on November 6, 1992, both in Polk County, Iowa.

At the guilty plea, Sorenson admitted that, from about 2004 through June 30, 2006, she was involved in a conspiracy that distributed at least five kilograms of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area. On June 30, 2006, during a search at Sorenson’s residence, officers seized more than 30 grams of methamphetamine.

Sorenson was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Sorenson was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $200 was imposed. She must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Sorenson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.

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

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 09-3012.

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