N.D. Iowa · Drug TraffickingFY2018–FY2025
Districts › Northern District of Iowa
Drug Trafficking in the Northern District of Iowa
N.D. Iowa · Eighth Circuit · Drug Trafficking nationally
The datafile contains cases reported to the Commission with sentencing documents. Sentence length statistics use the Commission's capped variable (sentences of 470 months or longer, including life, are recorded as 470 months) and exclude sentences of probation or a fine only. Figures are aggregates of past cases and are not a prediction for any case.
§ 1Length of prison terms
Interquartile range 71–180 months; mean 137. <10 cases at the Commission's 470-month cap (life or longer).
§ 2Summary
Drug Trafficking was the primary offence type in 949 cases sentenced in the Northern District of Iowa between FY2018 and FY2025 (34% of the district's cases), with 121 in FY2025.
The median prison term was 121 months (10 yr 1 mo), longer than the national median for drug trafficking offences (62 months) and longer than the Eighth Circuit median (90). Half of prison terms fell between 71 and 180 months; — of cases carried a prison term.
33% of these sentences were within the guideline range (nationally for this offence type: 30%); 41% were below the range on a government motion and 22% below it for other reasons.
Caseload in FY2025 was about the same as in FY2018. The median prison term was about the same in FY2025 as in FY2018.
These are aggregates of past cases. The guideline range for any case depends on its offence level, criminal history and statutory minimums, and the sentence on the court's findings; no figure here estimates an outcome.
§ 3Position relative to the guideline range
Within guideline range 33%Above range 4%Below range, government sponsored 41%Below range, other 22%Not determinable 0
§ 4Compared with the district, the circuit and the nation
| Measure | N.D. Iowa, drug trafficking | N.D. Iowa, all offences | 8th Cir., drug trafficking | US, drug trafficking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases per fiscal year | 119 | 344 | 1,788 | 18,239 |
| Share of district caseload | 34.4% | 100% | — | — |
| Median prison months | 121 | 60 | 90 | 62 |
| Mean prison months | 137 | 86 | — | 81 |
| Cases with a prison term | — | 97% | 97% | 97% |
| Within guideline range | 33% | 51% | 32% | 30% |
| Above range | 4% | 8% | 3% | 2% |
| Below range, government sponsored | 41% | 22% | 34% | 42% |
| Below range, other | 22% | 19% | 31% | 26% |
| Median final offence level | 31 | 21 | — | 27 |
§ 5Trend by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 117 | 100% | 121 | 33% | 52% | 12% | — |
| FY2019 | 153 | 100% | 120 | 31% | 41% | 24% | — |
| FY2020 | 99 | — | 120 | 36% | 30% | 26% | — |
| FY2021 | 112 | 100% | 120 | 22% | 54% | 21% | — |
| FY2022 | 117 | — | 120 | 33% | 39% | 27% | — |
| FY2023 | 129 | — | 121 | 32% | 40% | 25% | — |
| FY2024 | 101 | — | 148 | 41% | 39% | 15% | — |
| FY2025 | 121 | 100% | 127 | 35% | 36% | 26% | — |
§ 6Criminal history
Share of cases at each final criminal history category; grey figure: drug trafficking offences nationally.
§ 7Guidelines applied
- §2D1.1 Unlawful manufacturing, importing, exporting, trafficking or possession with intent (drugs) · 833 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2D1.2 Drug offenses occurring near protected locations or involving underage or pregnant individuals · 116 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X3.1 Accessory after the fact · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §none · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X1.1 Attempt, solicitation or conspiracy (not covered by a specific guideline) · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
Primary guidelines the Commission associates with this offence type, with the district's caseload under each across all offence types.
§ 8Questions and answers
What is the typical sentence for drug trafficking offences in the Northern District of Iowa?
The median prison term over FY2018–FY2025 was 121 months (10 yr 1 mo), with the middle half of terms between 71 and 180 months. — of cases carried a prison term. The national median for drug trafficking offences is 62 months.
How often are drug trafficking offences sentenced below the guideline range here?
41% of sentences were below the range on a government motion and 22% below it for other reasons; 33% were within the range. The Commission's categories are explained in the guide to how the guidelines work.
How does this compare with the rest of the country?
Nationally, drug trafficking offences had a median prison term of 62 months and a within-range share of 30% over the same period. The district's figures are above on median term and close to the national within-range share.
Which guidelines are involved?
The most common primary guidelines for these cases are §2D1.1, §2D1.2 and §2X3.1.
Is this a prediction for a particular case?
No. The figures are aggregates of sentences already imposed, as recorded by the US Sentencing Commission. They are not legal advice and do not estimate the outcome of any case.
§ 9Other offence types in the Northern District of Iowa
- Firearms 878
- Immigration 308
- Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement 189
- Child Pornography 87
- Prison Offenses 62
- Sex Abuse 57
§ 10Provenance
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles, fiscal years 2018–2025 (US government works), aggregated by this site; the FY2025 file is dated 29 Apr 2026. Offence type is the Commission's OFFGUIDE code 10; district is CIRCDIST 55. Counts below 10 are hidden or pooled. Errors in this site's processing are corrected at the next build; see corrections. Methodology.