Marshalltown Man Sentenced to 17 years in Federal Prison for Possessing Methamphetamine and a Loaded Firearm

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Marshalltown man was sentenced on September 12, 2025, to 17 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to public court documents, in October 2024, Matthew Allen Sumpter, 39, was found in possession of nearly a pound of methamphetamine, a scale, cash, and a loaded handgun. Based on the investigation, Sumpter was responsible for distributing multiple pounds of methamphetamine in the Marshalltown area. Sumpter has multiple prior felony convictions, including prohibited person in possession of a firearm, harassment, domestic abuse assault by strangulation, and multiple eluding convictions.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Sumpter will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.