(Sioux City)– A man who possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in Dickinson county has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison. 53-year-old Mark Mendenhall of Fort Dodge was sentenced on Tuesday. He will also be required to serve a four-year term of supervised release following the prison term.
Mendenhall pled guilty back in July of last year to one count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of pure methamphetamine. During court hearings, he admitted that on September 19th, 2024, he knowingly and intentionally possessed about 40 grams of pure meth in Dickinson county. The U.S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa says Mendenhall was a fugitive from the Iowa Department of Corrections and was working as a patient transport driver at the time. While taking a patient to an appointment, he crossed the center line and collided with a semi. After being taken to a local hospital he was found to have about 40 grams of pure meth concealed on his body. A search of the vehicle turned up syringes, fake identification cards, fake money and other drug-related items.
Prosecutors say Mendenhall has an extensive criminal history with 24 prior convictions spanning over 25 years. Because of that he was classified as a career offender under sentencing guidelines.
The case was investigated by the Spirit Lake Police Department and Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office.
