Sioux City Man Sentenced to 248 Months in Federal Prison for Meth and Firearm Convictions

Justin Derby, 46, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced October 16, 2025, to more than 20 years in federal prison.

Derby pled guilty on May 22, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Derby was involved in a conspiracy that involved his distribution of more than 700 grams of methamphetamine from June 2022 through June 2024 in the Sioux City area.  Derby was involved in an attempted eluding and flight from law enforcement on a motorcycle in June of 2024.  Upon apprehension, law enforcement seized over 85 grams of pure methamphetamine, a loaded 9mm pistol, additional ammunition and a scale from Derby’s backpack.  Derby admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with plans to distribute it to others and possessing the firearm for protection of himself and his drugs.  Derby had previously been convicted of four other eluding law enforcement offenses.      

Derby was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Derby was sentenced to 248 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Derby is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Algona Police Department, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa DCI Laboratory.  

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

The case file number is 24-3033.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.