Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Starr Ledford, a 43-year-old woman from Manson and Atlantic, Iowa, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on January 21, 2026. Ledford pleaded guilty in July 2025 in federal court in Sioux City to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to evidence presented during the plea and sentencing hearings, Ledford participated with others in a scheme that distributed at least three pounds of pure methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area between January and May 2024. Authorities stated that on two occasions in April 2024, Ledford distributed over 300 grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. Surveillance conducted by law enforcement showed that in May 2024, Ledford traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, where she obtained approximately half a pound of methamphetamine from her supplier. She made several trips to Omaha for this purpose before redistributing the drugs around Fort Dodge.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand handed down the sentence of 60 months’ imprisonment. After serving her prison term, Ledford will be subject to three years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow parole. Ledford remains in custody with the United States Marshal until she is transported to a federal facility.
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