DES MOINES, IA – On April 14, 2023, a Marshalltown woman, Elizabeth Andrade, 31, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, and on July 10, 2023, a Des Moines man, Adam Michael Browning, 38, was sentenced to 180 months in prison, for their respective roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy. Both were sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Browning also plead guilty to carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

As early as July 2021, through April 2022, Andrade conspired with Browning to distribute methamphetamine in the Des Moines, Iowa, area. As part of that conspiracy, Andrade acted as a broker or middleman and introduced Browning to methamphetamine sources in Marshalltown, Des Moines, and Mexico. Andrade sent drug proceeds via wire transfer to Browning’s sources in Mexico. Browning sold methamphetamine to several customers and throughout the conspiracy he possessed several firearms. Their conspiracy involved over 20 pounds of methamphetamine.

Following their prison terms, Andrade and Browning each must complete five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force (MIDTF), Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement (MINE) Task Force Des Moines Resident Office; Marshalltown Police Department; Marshall County Sheriff’s Office; and the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement.