Four-Time Federal Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and a Loaded Shotgun

Root, a four-time federal felon, was sentenced May 2, 2025, to 15 years in federal prison after a Sioux City Police traffic stop led to his conviction for methamphetamine, marijuana, and firearms charges.  

Caleb Root, age 45, from Concord, Michigan, received the prison term after an October 23, 2024, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance – marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance – methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.       

Evidence in the case revealed at about 3:00 am, on May 23, 2023, a uniformed police officer, of the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, on routine patrol in a marked police car, saw a pickup truck driving toward him on Hamilton Blvd.  As the officer and the truck passed, the truck behaved suspiciously: (1) the motorist changed course (by using a parking lot as a throughfare); (2) drove away from the officer; and (3) drove into a residential neighborhood.  After observing the truck’s behavior, the officer positioned himself, to further observe the motorist’s travel.  The truck eventually exited the neighborhood and returned to its original line of travel, thereby, confirming the odd behavior was a deliberate attempt to skirt by the officer.  The officer initiated a traffic stop (for the earlier observed offense of using a parking lot as a throughfare).  The driver refused to roll the window down all the way to talk to the officer, provided an odd story about how he came to be on Hamilton Blvd. or in Sioux City, Iowa, and then lied to the officer claiming he did not have an ID and could not remember his own birth date.

Eventually the driver identified himself as Caleb Root, and admitted lying to the officer, and to being a convicted felon.  At this time, law enforcement officers looked into the truck – from the outside – and, in plain view, saw marijuana. 

Root was arrested, the truck and trailer searched, and about 4 pounds of marijuana, a loaded shotgun, and more than 12 grams of pure methamphetamine were found inside.

Root was released from state custody the next day, and on July 22, 2023, he was stopped for speeding in Adair County, Iowa.  Root was stopped for speeding, 90 in a 70-mph, upon approach, the officer detected the odor of marijuana.  Root again provided a false identification to the officer.  Further investigation led the officer to locate more than 1 pound of marijuana and 1 gram of methamphetamine.

Root has a length criminal history including state convictions for operating under the influence of a controlled substance, attempting to resist police officers, various drug offenses, breaking and entering, and theft.  Root has four pervious federal convictions: a 2017 conviction for possession with intent to distribute – methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon; and a 2010 conviction for uttering counterfeit federal reserve notes, and the interstate transportation of a stolen car.

Root was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 180 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve an 8-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax commented, “Root is an example of an individual who has repeatedly made the choice to break the law. When caught, he chose to blame the police, the prosecutor, and even the court for his predicament. His conduct endangers the law-abiding members of our community who work hard, obey the law, and do nothing to harm their fellow citizens. Thanks to the fine work of our law enforcement partners, Root is off the street for a long time, and our community is safer as a result.”      

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

The case is being investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and 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 23-4041

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