GEORGE, IA (Northwestiowanow) – A George man faces more than a decade in federal prison following a major drug trafficking case.
On August 21st, 40-year-old John Rothkehl Jr. was sentenced in Sioux City to 130 months in federal prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to multiple methamphetamine-related charges.
Federal prosecutors say Rothkehl conspired with others to distribute at least 150 grams of pure methamphetamine between January 2022 and October 2024.
In September of last year, Rothkehl sold meth to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. Weeks later, officers stopped a vehicle where Rothkehl was a passenger. A K-9 unit alerted to drugs in the car, and a search revealed over 35 grams of meth in the backseat near Rothkehl.
He later admitted the drugs were intended for distribution and also revealed that he had a fentanyl pill hidden in his underwear at the time of his arrest.
Investigators say Rothkehl made trips to Spencer, Iowa, and South Sioux City, Nebraska, to obtain meth for resale in the George area.
Rothkehl is also expected to serve five years of supervised release once his prison term is complete.
