Clear Lake man sentenced to 15 years on drug dealer conviction

        Two men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a Mason City area methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.

        Shawn Benedict Zimmerman, 42, of Clear Lake, received his prison term after an April 20, 2015, guilty plea and Shane Lester McRoberts, age 28, of Nora Springs, Iowa, received his prison term after an April 16, 2015, guilty plea.  Zimmerman and McRoberts each pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

        Information provided by the United States at the sentencing and change of plea hearings revealed that, during the conspiracy between June 2014 and December 2014, Zimmerman supplied methamphetamine to McRoberts, who sold methamphetamine for him.  Zimmerman controlled the operation.  McRoberts was selling methamphetamine sourced by Zimmerman.  During his involvement in the conspiracy McRoberts distributed more than 5 grams of pure methamphetamine.

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Zimmerman and McRoberts, were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade.  Zimmerman was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment and McRoberts was sentenced to 45 months’ imprisonment.  Zimmerman and McRoberts must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  Zimmerman and McRoberts were each ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  There is no parole in the federal system.

        Both are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.

        The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and investigated by the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Mason City Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

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