SIOUX CITY — A Mason City felon whose record already included terrorism, robbery and meth dealing is headed to federal prison for nearly 27 years after getting caught hauling methamphetamine with a fully loaded pistol during an interstate drug-running operation.
Willie York, 47, was sentenced September 18, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City to 322 months behind bars — 26 years and 10 months — for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand also ordered York to serve 10 years of supervised release after prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
Traffic stop uncovered meth and two firearms
According to evidence presented at York’s plea and sentencing hearings, York and others conspired to distribute more than two pounds of methamphetamine mixture containing at least 50 grams of pure methamphetamine between August and October 2024.
The operation unraveled during an October 1, 2024, traffic stop south of Sioux City. York was riding with two other people when law enforcement stopped their vehicle and discovered more than a pound of pure methamphetamine divided into multiple packages.
Officers also found two firearms, including a fully loaded Beretta 9mm pistol with York.
York admitted that he and another person transported methamphetamine from Des Moines to Pierre, South Dakota, for distribution, making two round trips over several days. He also admitted possessing the firearm to further the drug trafficking operation.
York pleaded guilty to both federal counts on May 11, 2026.
Earlier convictions already barred him from guns
York (pictured at top) was already prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of previous Cerro Gordo County convictions.
Those included terrorism — intent to injure or provoke fear or anger — and second-degree robbery in 2000, followed by delivery of methamphetamine in 2015, according to federal prosecutors.
NIT previously reported on York’s guilty plea to simple assault following a 2014 fight inside the Cerro Gordo County jail. York and another inmate each received a one-day jail sentence with credit for time served in that incident.
York remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending transfer to a federal prison.
Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office and the Sioux City-based Tri-State Drug Task Force, which brings together local, state and federal law enforcement agencies from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.