Des Moines Sun

A Burlington man was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for unlawful possession of firearms.

According to public court documents, Jimmie Willis, 44, and others conspired to bring over 400 pounds of ice methamphetamine to Burlington, Iowa. Willis also unlawfully possessed numerous firearms related to his drug trafficking activities.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Willis will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Transportation, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa State Patrol.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.