MASON CITY, IOWA – Two brothers from Mason City are facing decades behind bars after being sentenced for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that flooded Cerro Gordo County with the deadly drug. Gary Winters, 63, received a 25-year sentence, while his brother, Bradley Winters, 58, was handed 20 years in federal prison. The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand, reflect the gravity of their crimes and extensive criminal records.
Federal prosecutors detailed how, between July and August 2023, the Winters brothers were actively engaged in distributing methamphetamine throughout Mason City. Bradley Winters was caught red-handed selling the drug to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. Gary Winters, already on supervised release for a 2010 drug conviction, brazenly continued his criminal activity, even possessing over 180 grams of methamphetamine when he was stopped by authorities on August 24, 2023. The pair faced charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute.
The investigation revealed a pattern of disregard for the law. Bradley Winters isn’t a stranger to the system, boasting a staggering 33 prior convictions, including a 2009 federal conviction for – you guessed it – conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. He also has a history of theft and assault. His commitment to avoiding justice was further demonstrated after his indictment when he cut off his GPS ankle monitor and fled. He was apprehended in Clear Lake, Iowa, where he physically resisted officers before being taken into custody, still carrying baggies of methamphetamine and over $6,000 in cash.
Gary Winters’ past is equally troubling. Prior to the current case, he was convicted in 1999 of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carrying firearms during drug trafficking. His 2010 conviction involved conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Judge Strand ordered Gary Winters to serve 300 months imprisonment, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release. Bradley Winters will serve 240 months imprisonment, also followed by 10 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system, meaning both men will serve virtually the entirety of their sentences.
“This case demonstrates the relentless efforts of local and federal law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking networks and hold offenders accountable,” stated Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons, who prosecuted the case. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department, Clear Lake Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Both Gary Winters and Bradley Winters are currently in the custody of the United States Marshals, awaiting transport to their designated federal prisons.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, case file number 23-3032. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA for more federal crime news.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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