Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Crack Cocaine and Firearm Convictions

 Mosley has a lengthy criminal history, and was caught with drugs and a loaded handgun one day after being arrested for similar conduct by state authorities.

A man who distributed crack cocaine and illegally possessed firearms was sentenced June 16, 2021, to more than 11 years in federal prison.

Preston Mosley, age 35, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 13, 2021, guilty plea to one count of distribution of crack cocaine; one count of possession of a firearm by a felon; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Mosley was previously convicted of possession of a firearm by a domestic abuse offender and possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver, in 2016, and possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, in 2019, both in the Iowa District Court for Webster County.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that the day after Mosley’s arrest and release on state charges stemming from his possession of drugs and guns, Mosley was again caught with drugs and a gun. Law enforcement agents caught Mosley driving a vehicle, and ultimately seized small amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine from Mosley’s pockets.  Mosley’s identification, items indicative of drug distribution, more crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and a loaded 9mm handgun were found and seized from the vehicle Mosley was operating.  Mosley intended to distribute some or all of the cocaine to another person or persons, and used the firearm to protect his drugs and himself during drug trafficking activities.  Evidence further showed that when law enforcement attempted to serve the federal arrest warrant for this case on Mosley, Mosely assaulted an officer with a brick. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Mosley was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Molsey was sentenced to 138 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Mosley 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 United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and DCI Laboratory.