Dylan Pettyjohn, Meth, Fentanyl, and Firearm Possession, Iowa 2024

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Des Moines man is headed to federal prison for his role in a high-stakes crime involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a firearm.

Dylan Pettyjohn, 33, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for possessing distribution quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and for possessing a firearm as a felon and carrying it in relation to his drug trafficking.

The conviction stems from a June 2024 federal jury trial, where Pettyjohn was found guilty of the charges.

According to court documents, on May 5, 2023, Pettyjohn led Des Moines police on a vehicle chase. When his car was disabled, he continued running on foot with a loaded firearm and a fanny pack containing cash and drugs.

As an officer pursued him, Pettyjohn reached into his waistband and grabbed his loaded firearm, which he threw over his head. When the officer caught up to him, Pettyjohn resisted arrest and grappled with the officer, putting his hand on the officer’s gun.

Police found over 85 grams of methamphetamine and 54 fentanyl pills in Pettyjohn’s fanny pack.

At sentencing, the court emphasized Pettyjohn’s long and aggravating criminal history. After completing his term of imprisonment, Pettyjohn will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.

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 to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The key principles of the PSN strategy include fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/des-moines-man-sentenced-25-years-federal-prison-possessing-meth-fentanyl-and-firearm