A northeast Iowa man who distributed methamphetamine has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison.
Between June 2022 and January 2024, 45-year-old Dustin Burnikel of Lime Springs received packages containing controlled substances through the mail from an individual in California. In August 2023, Burnikel sold meth to an individual who was working with law enforcement. In October 2023, Burnikel sold meth to an undercover officer.
In October 2025, Burnikel pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance. On Friday (05.01), Burnikel was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams to 120 months in federal prison. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after prison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Burnikel is being held in United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector Service, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Howard and Winneshiek County sheriff’s offices, and the Waterloo Police Department.
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