Sioux City Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possession With Intent to Distribute Meth

Jon Waugh, 55, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced November 17, 2025, to 188 months’ imprisonment for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location.  Waugh pled guilty June 12, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City.

On August 14, 2024, police arrested Waugh outside his apartment, when Waugh was searched, police found approximately 112 grams of methamphetamine and $854 in cash.  Police also searched Waugh’s residence and seized over a kilogram of pure methamphetamine, a scale with meth residue, drug paraphernalia, and four firearms, one of which was stolen.  At the plea hearing, Waugh admitted he planned to distribute the methamphetamine to other individuals in Sioux City.  Waugh’s residence was within 1,000 feet of a protected location, specifically a local elementary school in Sioux City. 

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Waugh was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a term of ten years of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Waugh 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.