In a shocking display of brazen criminal activity, two Keokuk men have been sentenced to federal prison for their role in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Ronald Dickey Mason, 75, and Ronald Kieth Mason, 43, father and son, were found guilty of conspiring to sell large amounts of methamphetamine in several Iowa cities, including Keokuk, Burlington, Riverside, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, the Masons’ illicit activities took place between at least April and July 2024. During this time, they worked together to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine, putting countless lives at risk. The severity of their crimes was further underscored by the discovery of 28 pounds of methamphetamine in the trunk of Ronald Dickey Mason’s car, as well as a pistol found in the center console.
In February 2025, Ronald Kieth Mason plead guilty as charged, while Ronald Dickey Mason plead guilty to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The elder Mason was also convicted by a jury in March 2025 of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. This conviction would ultimately contribute to his lengthy prison sentence.
On July 22, 2025, Ronald Dickey Mason was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. His son, Ronald Kieth Mason, was sentenced on June 25, 2025, to 20 years in federal prison, also followed by a five-year term of supervised release. It’s worth noting that there is no parole in the federal system, ensuring that the Masons will serve out their full sentences.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa. The case was investigated by a coalition of law enforcement agencies, including the Lee County Narcotics Task Force, the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keokuk Police Department. The collaborative efforts of these agencies ultimately led to the downfall of the Masons’ illicit operation.
The methamphetamine conspiracy case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drug trafficking in Iowa communities. The lengthy prison sentences handed down to the Masons demonstrate the severity with which federal authorities are treating these types of crimes. As the war on drugs continues, it’s clear that law enforcement agencies will stop at nothing to dismantle operations like the one run by the Masons, and bring those responsible to justice.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Ronald Dickey Mason and Ronald Kieth Mason marks a significant victory for law enforcement in the fight against methamphetamine distribution in Iowa. The case highlights the importance of interagency cooperation and the commitment of federal authorities to prosecuting those who engage in these serious crimes. As the Masons begin their lengthy prison sentences, it’s clear that justice has been served, and that the people of Iowa are safer as a result.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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