Illegal Alien Found Guilty of Federal Meth and Gun Charges

Press Release

Navarro-Zepeda was caught with roughly 33 pounds of meth, an assault rifle, and more than $17,000 in cash.

Oscar Navarro-Zepeda, 42, from Spencer, Iowa, was convicted by a jury on August 22, 2024, after a 3 ½ day trial in federal court in Sioux City. Navarro-Zepeda was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of firearm by prohibited person; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Evidence at the trial showed that between April 2021 and April 2023, in the Northern District of Iowa and elsewhere Navarro-Zepeda was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, including more than 50 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Evidence also showed that on April 18, 2023, during a search warrant at Navarro-Zepeda's residence in Spencer, Iowa, law enforcement seized approximately 33 pounds of methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute to others in the Spencer, Iowa, area. Officers also seized $17,932; an AR-15 style .223 caliber rifle, with two loaded magazines in a rifle case and a partial box of .223 ammunition, as well as various items of drug distribution and use paraphernalia. Navarro-Zepeda was prohibited from possessing firearms and possessed either or both firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking, to protect himself, his drugs and drug proceeds from others.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Navarro-Zepeda remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On all of the convictions, Navarro-Zepeda faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.­

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff's Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney's Office.

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

The case file number is 23-4029. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Updated August 22, 2024