Sioux City Man to Federal Prison for Meth Conspiracy

Dean Christiansen, 64, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on November 18, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City.  Christiansen pled guilty July 1, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Christiansen was previously convicted in the Northern District of Iowa of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in December 2012.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from May 2024 through about August 2024, Christiansen was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 170 grams of pure methamphetamine in the Sioux City area within 1,000 feet of a local elementary school.  Law enforcement conducted two controlled methamphetamine purchases from Christiansen in August 2024 and seized scales and marijuana during a search of Christiansen’s home.  Christiansen admitted purchasing about 12 pounds of methamphetamine to repackage and distribute to others. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Christiansen was sentenced to 134 months’ imprisonment and must serve a seven-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Christiansen remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by 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 and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.

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

The case file number is 24-4058.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.