An Odebolt man was sentenced Friday in Sioux City Federal Court to serve over 15 years in prison for possession of methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm.
34-year-old Edwin Diaz was convicted in February of two counts of Possession With Intent to Distribute Meth and one count of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. Diaz was previously convicted of Felony Theft, Burglary, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, which prohibit a person from possessing firearms.
According to evidence presented at plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that in the early morning hours of December 31st of 2022, an Ida County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped to check on an oddly parked vehicle, and also located Diaz as well as another vehicle. The deputy seized a baggie with 45 grams of meth and another baggie with 35 grams of marijuana. Evidence further showed that a few days after that Diaz and his girlfriend coaxed the person with Diaz on December 31st into a vehicle. Diaz forced the person to sign a note, written by Diaz, saying the meth seized from Diaz’s vehicle was that person’s and not Diaz’s. A search warrant was executed on Diaz’s residence, and agents seized evidence of Diaz’s conduct in obtaining the false letter including handcuffs and the false note. Diaz’s conduct constituted obstruction of justice. Agents also seized approximately a half ounce of meth, a small quantity of marijuana, various pills, drug distribution paraphernalia, a Ruger .22 rifle with a loaded magazine, and 27 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition.
Diaz is being held in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by agencies including the Sac County Sheriff’s Office and Ida County Sheriff’s Office.