Hospers, Iowa Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Meth and Gun Convictions

A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed firearms was sentenced on May 1, 2023, to 25 years’ imprisonment. 

Robert Nicholas Hansen, 43, from Hospers, Iowa, was convicted by a jury of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; two counts of distribution of methamphetamine; and one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm (1 gun) on November 3, 2022.  On May 18, 2022, Hansen was convicted by a jury of two counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm (17 guns).

The jury found that, from January 2017 through January 2021, Hansen was involved in a conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine.  Evidence at trial showed that Hansen was involved with several other co-conspirators in the acquisition and distribution of more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine.  Evidence further showed that on two separate occasions, Hansen distributed one-half pound of methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement and during one of the transactions was found to possess three separate bundles of cash, totaling $14,000.  The jury verdict included findings that Hansen’s methamphetamine distributions occurred within 1000 feet of Hospers Elementary School and South Side Park in Hospers, Iowa.  The jury also found that Hansen illegally possessed a .223 caliber AR-15 style rifle.  At trial, evidence was presented that Hansen had others store methamphetamine and guns for him when the “heat was on” him from law enforcement.  At sentencing, Hansen’s illegal involvement with three other guns was also presented. 

During Hansen’s other trial, the jury found that, from 2017 through November 2017, Hansen illegally possessed seventeen firearms.  At sentencing, Hansen’s illegal involvement with four other guns was also presented.  Hansen was previously convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver in 2003 in the Iowa District Court for Sioux County.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Hansen was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment and must serve a 10-year term of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Hansen remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn Wehde and Patrick Greenwood and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange City Police Department, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. 

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

The case file numbers are 21-4014 and 21-4054.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.