Mason City Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine and Gun Charges

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A Mason City man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearm charges after authorities discovered more than a pound of pure methamphetamine and two firearms during a traffic stop south of Sioux City last fall.

Forty-seven-year-old Willie York pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Sioux City to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, York admitted that between August and October 2024, he and others conspired to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine mixture containing 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine.

Prosecutors said York also admitted he and another individual transported methamphetamine from Des Moines to Pierre, South Dakota, during two separate round trips over several days for distribution purposes.

Authorities said the charges stem from an Oct. 1, 2024, traffic stop south of Sioux City. York was a passenger in a vehicle with two other people when law enforcement officers stopped the car.

During the stop, officers discovered more than one pound of pure methamphetamine and two firearms, including a fully loaded Beretta 9mm pistol found with York.

York admitted he possessed the firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity.

Court records show York has several prior felony convictions in Cerro Gordo County, including terrorism with intent to injure or provoke fear or anger and second-degree robbery in 2000, along with a 2015 conviction for delivery of methamphetamine. Those convictions legally prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

York remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing. A sentencing date before U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be scheduled after a presentence investigation report is completed.

York faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. He also faces a potential $20 million fine and at least 10 years of supervised release following imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City.