Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Dean Christiansen, a 64-year-old resident of Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced to 134 months in federal prison on November 18, 2025. The sentencing took place in federal court in Sioux City after Christiansen pleaded guilty on July 1, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to evidence presented at the plea and sentencing hearings, Christiansen participated in a conspiracy from May 2024 through August 2024 that involved distributing more than 170 grams of pure methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. The activity occurred within 1,000 feet of a local elementary school. Law enforcement conducted two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Christiansen in August 2024 and found scales and marijuana during a search of his home. Christiansen admitted to purchasing approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine for repackaging and distribution.
Christiansen had previously been convicted in December 2012 for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in the Northern District of Iowa.
The sentence was issued by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. In addition to the prison term, Christiansen must serve seven years of supervised release following his imprisonment. There is no parole available in the federal system. He remains in custody with the United States Marshal until he is transported to a federal prison.
