A California man admitted guilt in a federal court in Cedar Rapids for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Juan Jose Ruiz, 29, was charged with conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of a mixture with methamphetamine, and 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine.
Ruiz confessed in his plea agreement that he participated in the distribution of methamphetamine from January to December 2021. On December 14, 2021, law enforcement intercepted him in Clear Creek County, Colorado. He was en route to Dubuque with over 25 pounds of high-purity methamphetamine intended for delivery to an associate.
Ruiz's sentencing date will follow the preparation of a presentence report, with Chief Judge C.J. Williams presiding. Until then, he remains in custody. Ruiz faces substantial penalties, including a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison, with a potential maximum of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, and lifetime supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake is prosecuting this case. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Dubuque Drug Task Force, Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, Dubuque Police Department, Quad City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory.