Mason City Man Sentenced to 25+ Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

A North Iowa man has been sentenced to more than 25 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms charges.

 Evidence hearings for 47-year-old Willie York of Mason City showed that from August 2024 through October 2024, York and others conspired to distribute more than two pounds of mixed methamphetamine which contained 50 grams or more of pure meth.  York was also a passenger in a vehicle in which law enforcement found over one pound of pure meth broken down in various packages, along with two firearms in the vehicle including a fully loaded Beretta 9mm pistol.  

York admitted he transported the meth from Des Moines to Pierre, South Dakota for distribution and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

In May, York pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute meth and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  On Friday (Sept. 18), United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced him to 322 months in federal prison, plus a 10-year term of supervised release following prison.  York remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

 The case was investigated by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office and Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City; Homeland Security Investigations; Nebraska law enforcement; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals; and South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. 

York was previously convicted in Cerro Gordo County of being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition, plus terrorism, second-degree robbery, and delivery of meth.