Evergreen Reporter

A man from Sioux City, Iowa, has been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Chad Hughes, aged 40, was sentenced on October 25, 2024, in a federal court in Sioux City after pleading guilty on May 31, 2024.

Hughes had previously been convicted of a federal firearms offense in 2005, federal assault in 2010, and two federal escapes in 2017 and 2018. Evidence presented during the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Hughes possessed nearly half a pound of methamphetamine intended for distribution in Sioux City.

On June 24, 2023, Hughes fled from law enforcement during a high-speed pursuit through Sioux City, Iowa, and North Sioux City, South Dakota. During the chase, he abandoned his motorcycle and a backpack containing methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a BB gun, and other items that led to his identification.

The sentencing took place before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Hughes received a sentence of 170 months' imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release. In the federal system, there is no parole. Hughes remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he is transported to a federal prison.

Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde prosecuted the case. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Iowa State Patrol; North Sioux City Police Department; Tri-State Drug Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff's Office; South Sioux City Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.

Court file information can be accessed at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl with case file number 23-4053.

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