Two men from Muscatine, Iowa, have been sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun offenses related to an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 29, 2024. Juan Aldo Beltran Delgado, 34, and Isidro Barajas, Jr., 30, were sentenced on July 22, 2025.
Court documents revealed that the two men went to a residence in Muscatine to receive a package containing over 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine. When law enforcement attempted to stop their vehicle after they picked up the package, Beltran Delgado drove at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour through Muscatine and ran multiple red lights in an attempt to evade capture. The chase ended when Beltran Delgado crashed into two vehicles near Highway 61 and Cedar Street. Both men fled on foot with firearms but were eventually apprehended by officers after Beltran Delgado fired shots at them.
Beltran Delgado received a sentence of 35 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and carrying and discharging a firearm during his drug trafficking activities. Barajas was sentenced to 32 years in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release for similar charges as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm. There is no parole in the federal system.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa. The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine Police Department, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine County Drug Task Force, Johnson County Drug Taskforce, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The initiative focuses on fostering trust within communities and supporting organizations that work towards preventing violence.
