Spencer man convicted of federal drug and weapons charges

Sioux City, Iowa – A Spencer man has been found guilty of federal drug and weapons charges.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa said a jury found Oscar Navarro-Zepeda, 42, guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a non-criminal person and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Navarro-Zepeda was found guilty of those charges after a three-and-a-half-day jury trial in federal court in Sioux City. The U.S. Attorney's Office says evidence at trial showed Navarro-Zepeda was involved in the distribution of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, including more than 50 grams of pure meth, between April 2021 and April 2023.

They say evidence also showed that on April 18, 2023, during a search of his Spencer residence, police seized approximately 33 pounds of methamphetamine, $17,932 in cash, an AR-15-style rifle with two loaded magazines in a rifle case, an opened box of ammunition, and drug-trafficking-related items and paraphernalia. Federal prosecutors say Navarro-Zepeda was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Sentencing is pending pending a preliminary report. In the meantime, Navarro-Zepeda remains in the custody of a US Marshal. He faces a minimum sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

(Courtesy of Community First Broadcasting station KUOO in Spirit Lake)