Armed Meth Dealer Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison

A man convicted of drug trafficking, who fled from police two times, was sentenced today to 17 years in federal prison.

Pablo Elias-Lopez age 35, from Sioux City, received the prison term after a July 2, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, methamphetamine, after having been convicted of a serious drug felony.

Evidence in the case revealed on or about December 11, 2024, during a traffic stop, Elias-Lopez was found to be in possession of a Taurus .44 Revolver, and a Sig Sauer P320 9mm Pistol, and ammunition, as well as 225 grams of methamphetamine and more than $10,000 cash.  On January 11, 2025, Elias-Lopez was again subject to a traffic stop, and this time he fled law enforcement.  During the short pursuit, law enforcement was able to maneuver and stop his vehicle. Elias-Lopez was found with a bag of cash totaling $27,005 and $600 in his wallet. On March 21, 2025, as officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Elias-Lopez, he again fled, ramming into a police vehicle.  During the eluding, Elias-Lopez also hit another individual head-on.  As Elias-Lopez sped through neighborhoods, his vehicle ended in a wooded area where he then fled on foot.  Officers were able to locate him nearby where he was taken into custody.  Officers located 112 grams of methamphetamine and more than $2,200 in cash.

Elias-Lopez’s criminal history includes multiple charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, eluding, and participating in a felony or resulting in serious injury.

Elias-Lopez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 204 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Elias-Lopez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department, and Sgt. Bluff, Iowa Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 25-4018.

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