Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Dustin Burkhardt, a 36-year-old resident of Rockwell, Iowa, has pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The conviction was made on June 5, 2025, in a federal court in Sioux City.
During the plea hearing, evidence was presented that on September 29, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on Burkhardt's vehicle. Officers noticed an open container inside the vehicle and proceeded with a probable cause search. This search led to the discovery of a glass pipe in the center console and a backpack located in the front passenger footwell. Inside the backpack was another pouch containing four zip-top baggies filled with 137.12 grams of pure methamphetamine. Burkhardt admitted ownership of all the methamphetamine found and acknowledged his intention to distribute some or all of it to others.
Sentencing will be scheduled after a presentence report is completed by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Meanwhile, Burkhardt remains in custody under the supervision of the United States Marshal until sentencing occurs. He faces significant penalties including a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years' imprisonment and could receive up to life imprisonment. Additionally, he may be fined up to $10 million and face at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
