Richard Martinez, a 30-year-old resident of Sioux City, Iowa, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to methamphetamine distribution. The plea was entered on July 24, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Sioux City.
According to evidence presented at the plea hearing, law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance near WinnaVegas Casino outside Sloan, Iowa, on July 17, 2024. Officers observed a vehicle leaving the casino at a speed above the posted limit and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled at high speed. During the pursuit, two packages containing approximately half a pound of methamphetamine were thrown from the passenger window.
Martinez admitted in court that he was instructed by the driver to throw out the methamphetamine during the chase and that he complied with this instruction. Law enforcement recovered the drugs near where they were discarded.
Sentencing for Martinez will be scheduled after preparation of a presentence report. He remains in custody of the United States Marshal while awaiting sentencing. Martinez faces a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and could receive up to forty years’ imprisonment. In addition, he could be fined as much as $5 million and face supervised release for four years up to life following any prison term.
