A 45-year-old man from Lime Springs, Iowa, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in distributing methamphetamine.
Dustin George Burnikel, who was 45 years old, received the prison term after pleading guilty on October 27, 2025, to one count of distribution of a controlled substance.
Between June 2022 and January 2024, Burnikel received packages containing controlled substances through the mail from an individual in California.
In August 2023, Burnikel sold methamphetamine to an individual who was working with law enforcement.
Then, in October 2023, Burnikel sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer.
Burnikel was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams to 120 months’ imprisonment.
He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Burnikel is currently being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep, and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector Service, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, and the Waterloo Police Department.
Related Federal Cases
- Jeffrey Duane Krowiorz II, Methamphetamine Distribution, Iowa 2013 · California
- Derrick Christopher Johnson, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, Iowa 2017 · California
- Michael George Fallis, Methamphetamine Distribution, South Dakota 2018 · South Dakota
- Timothy Mullally, Methamphetamine Distribution and Firearm Possession, Iowa 2022 · California
- Brandy Herman, Methamphetamine Distribution, Iowa 2024 · Arkansas
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking