Sioux City, IA — A Fort Dodge man arrested in Dickinson County back in 2024 has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison on drug charges.

53-year-old Mark Mendenhall was working as a patient transport driver when the vehicle he was driving crossed the center line and struck a semi. At the scene of the accident authorities found 40 grams of methamphetamine concealed on his body; and syringes, fake i.d.s, counterfeit money, and drug paraphernalia. He had 24 prior convictions and was considered a fugitive form the Iowa Department of Corrections.

On July 16th of last year he entered a guilty plea to possession of meth with the intent to distribute. He was sentenced this week to 199 months in prison by Judge Leonard T. Strand to be followed by four years of supervised release.