Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
A Georgia man has been sentenced to over 19 years in federal prison for distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. Manuel Tomas Gaspar, aged 25, from Atlanta, received the sentence on February 11, 2025, following his guilty plea on August 30, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Court records revealed that between December 1, 2023, and February 14, 2024, Gaspar transported large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin between Georgia and Iowa. In January 2024, he delivered 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and one kilogram of heroin to an individual in Cedar Rapids. He was arrested on February 14, 2024, after delivering another 20 kilograms of methamphetamine to the same person.
During this period, Gaspar carried a firearm for protection while handling substantial drug proceeds and conducted international wire transfers to his Mexico-based supplier.
United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Gaspar in Cedar Rapids to a prison term of 236 months. After serving his sentence, Gaspar will undergo five years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow parole.
Currently held in the United States Marshal’s custody, Gaspar awaits transfer to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards. It was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
