Damian Havens, 52, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on July 15 in federal court in Sioux City to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Havens admitted that between March and May 2026 he and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine in Sioux City. Evidence presented showed that during those two months Havens was involved in distributing more than one and a half pounds of methamphetamine. On May 7, law enforcement responded to a report of a suspicious person and vehicle later identified as Havens. Officers seized approximately a quarter pound of methamphetamine and an airsoft pistol from his backpack. Havens admitted he intended to distribute the methamphetamine.
Sentencing will be scheduled before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand after preparation of a presentence report. Havens remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment with the possibility of life imprisonment, up to a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any prison term.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa advocates for the rights of 1.3 million Iowans across 52 counties covering more than 25,120 square miles in northern Iowa; it is part of the U.S. Department of Justice with over 60 employees including more than twenty assistant U.S. attorneys and three high-intensity drug trafficking area attorneys among its leadership. It prosecutes federal crimes, manages civil litigation for the U.S. government, and collects federal debts, according to the official website.