Sioux City woman pleads guilty to possessing meth, firearms following joint HSI, law enforcement partner probe

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Alicia Loraine Robinson, 36, from Sioux City, pleaded guilty Sept. 6 in federal court after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of firearms following a joint Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), law enforcement partner probe.

Evidence at the plea hearing showed that on Dec. 30, 2021, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Robinson was driving. Officials smelled marijuana emanating from the car and noted Robinson was clutching her purse tightly on her lap.

Robinson admitted she smoked marijuana in the car and that she was suspended from driving. A search of the car found drug paraphernalia and a .380 firearm in Robinson’s purse. Law enforcement then searched Robinson’s home and found a 12-gauge shotgun, over 50 grams methamphetamine, marijuana, and other distribution-related items.

On July 6, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at another home associated with drug distribution. Amongst other illicit items, law enforcement found a Glock .40 handgun that had been owned by Robinson. Robinson admitted to possessing the firearms and being a user of marijuana and methamphetamine. A person that uses controlled substances is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Robinson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the drug conviction, Robinson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release following any imprisonment. On the firearm conviction, Robinson faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release.

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; 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.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood. Court file information is available online.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat narcotics in your community on Twitter @HSIKansasCity.

Homeland Security Investigations

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 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 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.