Iowa Man Sentenced to More Than 20 Years for Drug and Firearm Convictions

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced on July 6, 2022, Cody Lee Fischer, 50, of Luxemburg, Iowa, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Fischer to 188 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge. After completing his term of imprisonment, Fischer will be required to serve a 5-year term of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system.

On August 26, 2021, an Omaha Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that failed to maintain its lane at mile marker 441 eastbound on Interstate 80.  Fischer was a passenger in the vehicle.  A Police Service Dog was deployed during the stop and alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from within the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed a bag of suspected methamphetamine in the glove box. Two firearms were located in a black duffle bag on the back seat of the vehicle.  Both were black semi-automatic handguns loaded with 9 rounds of ammunition. A search of the trunk revealed approximately five pounds of methamphetamine in multiple sandwich bags. 

Fischer was transported to the OPD impound lot for questioning where he admitted traveling from Denver, Colorado with five pounds of methamphetamine to sell in Luxemburg.  Fischer also admitted he had gone to Denver on previous occasions to pick up pound quantities of methamphetamine for distribution.  He told officers that he kept the guns with him to feel safer.

Fischer’s co-defendant, who was the driver of the vehicle, has pleaded not guilty and his matter is set for a pretrial hearing on July 7, 2022.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.