A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed methamphetamine with intent to distribute it pled guilty today in federal court in Sioux City.

Jolene Sorenson, 51, from Dayton, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession 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 plea hearing, 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.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Sorenson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the conspiracy conviction, Sorenson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, a special assessment of $100, and at least 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. On the possession with intent conviction, Sorenson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, a special assessment of $100, and at least 4 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

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