A Mason City man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison on firearms and drug charges. 34-year-old Jacob Shafer was sentenced Friday (9/12/25) in federal court in Sioux City to 132 months behind bars, followed by four years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm.
Shafer was arrested after a March 2024 search of his home uncovered meth, drug paraphernalia, and four handguns, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. He admitted he planned to sell the drugs. Shafer had prior convictions for meth distribution and weapons trafficking in 2022, which prohibited him from having any firearms.
The case was investigated by Cerro Gordo County deputies, Mason City police, state investigators, and federal agents as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Full press release available here: shafer-press-release-sent
