SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A man from Fort Dodge, Iowa was sentenced on September 29, 2023, for his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy and illegal firearm possession. Jose Acosta Abadia, Jr., 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm earlier this year.
Abadia’s criminal history includes prior convictions for Third Degree Burglary, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and three counts of Assault While Using or Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, involving a machete and knife. These convictions rendered Abadia ineligible to possess a firearm under Iowa law.
During the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence revealed that Abadia conspired with others between February 2022 and June 2022 to distribute over seven pounds of methamphetamine. Additionally, Abadia sold methamphetamine on three separate occasions to an individual cooperating with law enforcement, totaling more than 400 grams. The sales took place in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Upon Abadia’s arrest, law enforcement discovered 1/2 pound of methamphetamine and a stolen semi-automatic handgun in his possession. Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand of the United States District Court presided over the sentencing, imposing a 17-year prison term on Abadia. Following his imprisonment, Abadia will serve a mandatory 5-year term of supervised release, as parole does not exist in the federal system. Currently, Abadia remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service until he can be transferred to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by multiple agencies, including the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.
For more details, refer to the court file information available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 22-3030.
– Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
