A man from Council Bluffs, Iowa, has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for methamphetamine-related charges. Wilton Omar Garcia-Castillo, 19, a Guatemalan native, was found guilty of distributing and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Court documents revealed that Garcia-Castillo distributed 500 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in June 2024. Shortly after, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in Council Bluffs. The search uncovered 27 pounds of methamphetamine, a loaded firearm, an extended magazine for the firearm, digital scales, and over $4,000 in cash.
Following his imprisonment term of 192 months, Garcia-Castillo will serve a five-year supervised release period. It is important to note that there is no parole option available in the federal system.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal from the Southern District of Iowa. The investigation involved several agencies: the Iowa Department of Public Safety–Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Council Bluffs Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and Iowa State Patrol.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence while making neighborhoods safer. The program emphasizes trust-building within communities and prioritizes strategic enforcement efforts. For further details on Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
