Sioux City Woman Pleads Guilty to Meth Distribution Conspiracy

April Nikkel, 37, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on May 18, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City. Nikkel pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location.

At the plea hearing, Nikkel admitted her involvement in a conspiracy from January 2025 through November 2025 that distributed more than three pounds of methamphetamine. On at least three occasions Nikkel distributed and helped another distribute a total of over 184 grams of pure methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement. These distributions occurred within 1,000 feet of Fairmount City Park and Cecillia City Park in Sioux City.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Nikkel remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Nikkel faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 10 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff's Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney's Office.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.plLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The case file number is25-4063. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.