A Webster City man who admitted selling methamphetamine throughout central Iowa, then fled to Mexico, will spend 15 years in federal prison.

Jose Sandoval, 39, who is originally from Webster City, was sentenced to prison on Nov. 5, 2013, after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

After entering a guilty plea, Sandoval fled from federal authorities and lived in Mexico for eight years.

In 2021, Sandoval turned himself in to federal law enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border. Sandoval received an obstruction of justice sentencing enhancement for his flight from federal authorities. He was most recently sentenced April 28 in Sioux City by United States District Court.

The court showed that Sandoval was involved in a conspiracy that distributed meth from about January 2012 through January 2013. He admitted to selling up to quarter-pound quantities of meth every one to two weeks throughout 2012 up to Jan. 9, 2013, throughout central Iowa.

On Jan. 9, 2013, officers executed a search warrant of Sandoval’s home and seized various items of drug distribution paraphernalia, including digital scales and $3,000, as well as six firearms.

Sandoval also admitted to purchasing the firearms with the expectation of selling them for profit.

In addition to the 15-year prison sentence, Sandoval must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.

There is no parole in the federal system.

Sandoval is being held in the United States marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster City Police Department, Hamilton County and Wright County sheriff’s offices, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.