Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
A Sioux City man was sentenced to over ten years in federal prison for firearm and methamphetamine-related offenses. Felipe Alcaraz, Jr., aged 35, admitted guilt on January 21, 2025, to charges including possession of firearms by a prohibited person and intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Alcaraz's prior convictions for eluding law enforcement and controlled substance possession barred him from legally owning firearms. Evidence presented during his plea and sentencing hearings revealed that Alcaraz evaded police traffic stops multiple times, driving recklessly at high speeds. Authorities discovered three guns linked to him: one stolen, another with an altered serial number, and a third sold to another felon. Additionally, two ounces of methamphetamine were seized during a traffic stop. Alcaraz acknowledged his plan to distribute approximately 350 grams of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area.
The sentencing took place under United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand, who imposed a 125-month imprisonment sentence followed by six years of supervised release. Federal sentences do not allow parole; thus, Alcaraz remains in U.S. Marshal custody until his transfer to a federal facility.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021.
Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde prosecuted the case following an investigation by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City. The task force includes personnel from various law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff's Office; South Sioux City 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.
