Shambaugh Man Sentenced for Drug Distribution Offenses

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On Thursday, July 27, 2023, a Shambaugh man was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance following his plea of guilty.

According to public court documents, from June 2022 to July 2022, the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE) completed several controlled buys of methamphetamine with Michael Leo Pickens, 49. In August 2022, a search warrant was executed by DNE on Pickens’ residence in Shambaugh. Agents recovered approximately 26 grams of methamphetamine and a scale from the residence.

Pickens must serve a four-year term of supervised release following the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case.