Hull, Iowa Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Meth Distribution and Illegal Firearm Possession

Victor Perez-Martinez, 24, from Hull, Iowa was sentenced on October 11, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City. Perez-Martinez pled guilty May 24, 2024, to seven counts, which included conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Perez-Martinez was involved in the distribution of sizable quantities of pure methamphetamine during four controlled drug purchases with law enforcement, some within 1000 feet of a protected location (totaling more than 264 grams of methamphetamine). In October 2023, during a search warrant executed at Perez-Martinez's residence, law enforcement seized: 329 grams of methamphetamine, two cellular telephones; various items of drug use and distribution paraphernalia; $4,267 in cash, and a .380 ACP pistol. Evidence also showed that Perez-Martinez was involved in a conspiracy that distributed over 500 grams of methamphetamine to a number of individuals in the Spencer and Orange City, Iowa area.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Perez-Martinez was sentenced to 144 months' imprisonment and must serve a term of ten years of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Perez-Martinez remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa DCI Laboratory, Clay County Sheriff's Office, Spencer, Iowa Police Department, and the Iowa State Patrol.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-4067. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.