Federal Felon Who Fled Police Found Guilty of Meth Offense

A man who fled from law enforcement while possessing methamphetamine pled guilty May 31, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.

Chad Hughes, 40, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Hughes was previously convicted of a federal firearms offense in 2005.

At the plea hearing, Hughes admitted possessing almost ½ pound of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others in Sioux City.  Evidence showed that on June 24, 2023, law enforcement attempted to stop the motorcycle Hughes was operating.  Hughes fled from law enforcement with high-speed pursuits overlapping in cities of Sioux City, Iowa and North Sioux City, South Dakota during which Hughes ditched the motorcycle and a backpack to avoid apprehension.  Law enforcement seized the backpack which contained methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and other items (one shoe, lottery tickets, etc.) which aided in the ultimate identification of Hughes.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Hughes remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Hughes faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, North Sioux City, South Dakota, Police Department, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; 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.   

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. 

The case file number is 23-4053.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.