Hawkeye Reporter

A Humboldt County man, Nathan Nickless, age 40, from Dakota City, Iowa, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to several charges. These include two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine following a prior serious drug felony conviction, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and failure to appear.

According to evidence presented at the plea and sentencing hearings, on August 12, 2023, law enforcement in Fort Dodge attempted a traffic stop on a truck driven by Nickless. He tried to evade officers by driving onto a river road and rammed his vehicle into another car that was not law enforcement-related. After stopping his truck and fleeing on foot toward a river embankment, he was apprehended while carrying a backpack. Inside the backpack were found a loaded 9mm pistol; approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine; marijuana; psychedelic mushrooms; pills; THC gummies; ammunition; a scale; and multiple small baggies.

Nickless was federally charged but remained free pending his scheduled trial on July 8, 2024. He failed to appear for this trial and avoided law enforcement for several months.

Further evidence showed that on September 28, 2024, in Humboldt County, law enforcement learned Nickless was nearby. When they attempted another stop as he drove another vehicle, he refused and led officers on another pursuit before abandoning the vehicle near a river and escaping on foot. The abandoned vehicle was seized under warrant. A search revealed methamphetamine; marijuana packaged in multiple baggies; pills; scales; empty distribution baggies; as well as pipes used for methamphetamine and marijuana consumption.

On October 2, 2024, authorities located Nickless hiding inside a residence in Humboldt County where he was arrested.

The sentence was delivered in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand: "Nickless was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system."