Iowa woman sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute over 42 pounds of methamphetamine, following HSI, joint law enforcement partners, investigation

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - A Sioux City woman who distributed over 42 pounds of methamphetamine was sentenced April 19, 2022, to 7 years in federal prison following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), joint law enforcement partner, investigation. Heather Sorgdrager, age 41, from Sioux City, received the prison term after an October 18, 2021, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

At a plea hearing, Sorgdrager admitted to conspiring to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in and around Sioux City. Sorgdrager admitted to possessing methamphetamine in New Mexico that she intended to bring to Sioux City. In April 2021, law enforcement in New Mexico found Sorgdrager and another individual with over 42 pounds of methamphetamine.

Sorgdrager was sentenced in Sioux City by United States Chief District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 84 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Sorgdrager is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from Homeland Security Investigations; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, 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.

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat narcotics @HSIKansasCity.