Local woman sentenced to federal prison for meth conspiracy following HSI, law enforcement partner investigation

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A local woman, who conspired to distribute methamphetamine, was sentenced July 15 to 64 months in prison following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and local law enforcement partner investigation. Abby Bringman, 34, pleaded guilty Feb. 4 in federal court to distribute methamphetamine.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from January 2021 through September 2021, Bringman and others distributed more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine.

On Sept. 29, 2021, Bringman was apprehended while retrieving a five-pound package of methamphetamine delivered by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from her supply source in California. The package had been intercepted by the USPS and was covertly delivered by agents to an address in Akron.

Bringman was found in possession of the package containing methamphetamine as well as approximately 1.5 additional pounds of methamphetamine which law enforcement later seized from Bringman’s vehicle. Agents also seized more than $22,000 from Bringman and her residence. Bringman admitted that over the previous several months she had previously received several packages from her source in California containing a total 15 to 20 pounds of methamphetamine. Bringman also admitted the money seized was drug proceeds and that she planned to distribute some or all of the methamphetamine to other individuals.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Bringman was sentenced to 64 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Bringman remains in custody of the United States Marshal Service (USMS) until she can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City that consists of law enforcement personnel from HSI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City Police Department; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; the South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; USMS; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde. Court file information can be found online; the case file number is 21-4079.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat drug trafficking in your neighborhood on Twitter, @HSIKansasCity.

HSI is 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 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 86 overseas locations in 55 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.