A Humboldt County man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison following convictions on multiple charges, including two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine after a prior serious drug felony, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and failure to appear.
Nathan Nickless, 40, from Dakota City, Iowa, entered a guilty plea on April 1, 2025. According to evidence presented at his plea and sentencing hearings, law enforcement attempted to stop Nickless in Fort Dodge, Iowa on August 12, 2023. Nickless tried to evade officers by driving onto a river road. He rammed his truck into another vehicle before fleeing on foot. Officers apprehended him as he attempted to climb a river embankment. During the pursuit, Nickless was carrying a backpack that contained a loaded 9mm pistol; about 200 grams of methamphetamine; marijuana; psychedelic mushrooms; pills; THC gummies; ammunition; a scale; and small baggies.
Nickless was federally charged but remained free pending his scheduled July 8, 2024 trial date. He failed to appear for trial and evaded law enforcement for several months.
Further evidence showed that on September 28, 2024, officers learned Nickless was back in Humboldt County. When they tried to stop his vehicle he fled again and abandoned the car near a river before escaping on foot. A search warrant led officers to seize more methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from the abandoned vehicle. On October 2, 2024, Nickless was found hiding inside a residence in Humboldt County and arrested.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Nickless in Sioux City to 300 months’ imprisonment followed by ten years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
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