Authorities crack northern Iowa’s largest meth ring

A large-scale methamphatimine manufacturing ring, supplied by pseudoephedrine “smurfing,” has been dismantled by federal authorities, and 23 defendants have been convicted.

The manufacture of meth requires large amounts of pseudoephedrine, a chemical found in common sinus and cold medications. Because of the dangerous nature of both the end product and the manufacturing process, Iowa law seeks to limit the number of such products that can be purchased by individuals during specific time frames. Those who wish to bypass the law engage several individuals to participate in a process known as “smurfing,” which is making small individual purchases of the products in order to supply the larger needs of the meth lab.

The “meth cook” in this particular ring, according to federal prosecutors, was Anthony Grenier, a 46-year-old resident of Sioux City. Grenier allegedly made pure meth almost daily for about eight months with pseudoephedrine pills supplied to him by 25 to 30 other individuals. In addition, some of those recruited to “smurf” for Grenier are believed to have organized additional individuals to “smurf” for them.

As of this morning, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, reports that 16 out of the 23 identified defendants have been convicted and sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 30 months to 23 years. The seven others convicted await sentencing.

“This is the largest meth manufacturing ring ever prosecuted federally in the Northern District of Iowa in terms of the number of defendants involved,” said U.S. Attorney Matt Dummermuth in a prepared statement today. “After Iowa’s 2005 law made it harder for meth cooks to get the pseudoephedrine needed to make meth, there was a huge reduction in homemade meth. However, because of pseudoephedrine smurfing conspiracies like this one, we’re seeing meth production increase again.”

Dummermuth said he hopes such large prosecutions will serve as future deterants to those who wish to set up similar illegal organizations.

Woodbury County Sheriff Glenn Parrett theorized that homemade meth production has increased because law enforcement has stepped up efforts to eliminate foreign drug imports.

“Prices have gone up and quality has gone down, resulting in people turning to making their own,” he said.

Grenier and Angela Walters, 33 and also of Sioux City, received their prison terms after entering guilty pleas with the court. The two acknowledged that they conspired to manufacture more than 50 grams of meth.

Sioux City residents Joshua Brown, Libby Dickes, John Provost, Nathan Dewall, Schauna Carson and Joey Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiring to manufacture more than five grams of meth. Salix resident Jonathan Bush also pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Five additional Sioux City residents — Jon Stolpe, Kelly Sachau, Janelle Bertha Brown, William Dible and Ronald Lewison — pleaded guilty to conspiring to manufacture meth.

Each of the defendants had specific duties within the manufacturing ring. Dewell, 21, did “perimeter checks” while Grenier made meth and obtained anhydrous and other needed items. Dickes, 30, obtained pills and helped to obtain anhydrous on at least once occassion. Stolpe, 40, provided pills to Grenier for use in the illicit manufacturing operation.

Sachau, Lewis, Dible, Walters, Provost, Joshua Brown, Janelle Brown, Carson, Bush and Johnson, who range in age from 23 to 56, all provided pills directly or indirectly to Grenier in exchange for meth.

Individual sentences are as follows:

• Grenier – 274 months in prison, and 10 years of supervised release
• Sachau – 57 months in prison, and 6 years of supervised release
• Lewison – 70 months in prison, and 3 years of supervised release
• Dible – 91 months in prison, $12,500 fine and 3 years of supervised release
• Provost – 150 months in prison, and 4 years of supervised release
• Joshua Brown – 102 months in prison, and 8 years of supervised release
• Janelle Brown – 57 months in prison, and 3 years of supervised release
• Carson – 60 months in prison, and 4 years of supervised release
• Stolpe – 41 months in prison, and 6 years of supervised release
• Bush – 37 months in prison, and 5 years of supervised release
• Johnson – 90 months in prison, and 8 years of supervised release
• Dewall – 108 months in prison, and 4 years of supervised release
• Dickes – 59 months in prison, and 4 years of supervised release
• Walters – 85 months in prison, and 5 years of supervised release

Michael Breaman and Jamie Webster, both of Sioux City, were sentenced last month in connection with their roles in the conspiracy. Breaman, 44, was given 23 years in prison and an additional 10 years of supervised release. Webster, 19, received 30 months in prison and an additional three years of supervised release.

Seven additional defendants, all from the Sioux City area, have either pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial and are awaiting sentencing. Those seven defendants are: Kris Anderson, 30, Deb Faber, 47, Charles Fox, 32, Michael Kluge, 38, Shain Malloy, 39, Jeramie Frederick, 32, and Scott Taylor, 33. Kluge, who was convicted at trial, faces a possible sentence of life in prison.

The case was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, which consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Sioux City Police Department, South Sioux City (Nebraska) Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa National Guard, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.