COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA – On February 3, 2021, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Elizabeth Villanueva, age 36, of Lenox to 46 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Villanueva was ordered to serve a period of supervised release of five years to follow her prison term and pay a $100 special assessment payable to the Crime Victims’ Fund. There is no parole in the federal system.
On January 8, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Villanueva as she drove into Taylor County, Iowa. During a search of her car, approximately a half-pound of methamphetamine was discovered and seized. Villanueva pleaded guilty on October 16, 2020, to the charge.
This case was investigated by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.