Dubuque man distributing “multi-pound” shipments of ice meth faces 20 years to life

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Dubuque man, who received multiple pounds of ice methamphetamine to distribute and then shipped large quantities of cash to another man to conceal his proceeds, was convicted Tuesday in federal court.

Derek Richard Rath, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

During a previous hearing, evidence showed Rath received several 'multi-pound” shipments of ice methamphetamine through UPS, which he then sold in Dubuque. Prosecutors said a co-conspirator, Anthony McCarron, mailed the meth from Phoenix, Ariz., to Rath from September 2016 to June 2017.

Rath also shipped large quantities of cash to McCarron to pay for the shipments.

During the plea hearing, Rath admitted that he and McCarron used aliases when shipping the drugs and money.

McCarron previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering last October.

Sentencing hasn't been set at this time. Rath faces a minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life federal prison. He also faces at least 10 years of supervised release following any prison time.

The case is prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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