Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
A Waterloo man has been sentenced to over 19 years in federal prison for his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Matthew James Wessels, aged 44, was sentenced on July 2, 2025, following his guilty plea on December 23, 2024. He admitted to conspiring to distribute ice methamphetamine after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony.
According to the plea agreement, Wessels conspired with others during the summer of 2024 to import and distribute ice methamphetamine in Waterloo and surrounding areas. He distributed the drug to an undercover officer on three occasions and was found with over three pounds of it at one point. In total, he was responsible for distributing more than thirteen pounds of ice methamphetamine.
The sentencing took place in Cedar Rapids under United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Wessels received a sentence of 234 months' imprisonment followed by a ten-year supervised release term. Federal sentences do not include parole.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Jared Manternach prosecuted the case. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force; several local police departments; the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and other law enforcement entities.
