Fifty-year-old John Herman Soper of Keokuk was sentenced to 19 years in prison following his plea to the charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.

According to court documents, on October 30, 2021, law enforcement responded to a reported disturbance related to Soper threatening a person with a firearm. Officers were aware Soper had active arrest warrants and was involved in recent shots-fired incidents. Officers located Soper and searched him and his vehicle. Soper was in possession of a loaded handgun, cash, and approximately one-quarter pound of ice methamphetamine. Officers had information from numerous sources that Soper was obtaining pound quantities of ice methamphetamine.

Because of his prior serious drug convictions, Soper qualified as an Armed Career Criminal, and a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence applied. One of Soper’s prior convictions included a previous federal conviction for Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Fort Madison Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Keokuk Police Department, Lee County Narcotics Taskforce, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.