Melbourne man Martin Leon Morales, age 40, was sentenced to 240 months in prison on Sept. 23 after he pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Iowa, Leon Morales was under investigation for drug distribution. Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force investigators knew that Leon Morales was traveling to and from California, and on June 7, 2020, his vehicle was pulled over by officers from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

During a search of Leon Morales’ vehicle, approximately 24 pounds of methamphetamine was found and Leon Morales admitted he intended to distribute it.

According to the release, Marshalltown woman and co-defendant Aimee Kathleen Smith, age 32, was sentenced to 120 months in prison in January 2022 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing on Thursday. The Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, Tri-County Drug Task Force, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Cass County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.