DAVENPORT, IOWA – Michael Antonio Davison, age 36, of Burlington, was sentenced
by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 320 months in prison for trafficking
ice methamphetamine into Burlington. Davison was involved in importing/distributing
approximately 160 kilograms of ice methamphetamine in the Burlington area. Davison was also
a leader/organizer of a drug trafficking group and possessed a firearm related to his drug
trafficking activities. Davison has five prior convictions for felony drug offenses, and was under
criminal justice supervision for two different drug felony offenses at the time of this criminal
activity. Davison was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
Davison was also ordered to pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made
the announcement. This case was investigated by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce, Iowa
Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, and the Burlington
Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the
Southern District of Iowa.
Ottumwa Man Sentenced to 332 Months in Prison on Gun and Drug Charges
DAVENPORT, IOWA – On August 24, 2021, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose
sentenced Clinton Andrew Wynn, age 43, of Ottumwa, to 332 months in prison on gun and drug
charges.
According to court documents, Wynn previously pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to
Distribute Methamphetamine and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking
Crime.
These charges arose from a traffic stop of Wynn in Fairfield on October 3, 2020, where Wynn was
found in possession of 33 pounds of ice methamphetamine, a gun, and $11,541 cash. Wynn admitted
he had been involved in importing and distributing ice methamphetamine in Southeastern Iowa.
When officers in Ottumwa subsequently arrested Wynn on his federal warrant, Wynn struck multiple
police vehicles.
Wynn has prior criminal convictions for assault, domestic abuse assault, assault while displaying a
dangerous weapon, burglary, harassment, arson, violations of no contact orders, and OWI. At the
time of this offense, Wynn was under criminal justice supervision for two felony drug offenses, a
harassment first degree charge, and a charge for assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the
announcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division
of Narcotics Enforcement, Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office, Fairfield Police Department,
Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force, South Central Iowa Drug Task Force, Southeast
Iowa Narcotics Task Force, South Iowa Drug Task Force, Centerville Police Department,
Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office, Ottumwa Police Department, and Wapello County Sheriff’s
Office. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the
Jefferson County Attorney’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhood, a program bringing together all levels of law
enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods
safer for everyone.
Don Lauer Helphrey
Don Lauer Helphrey, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Mt. Union, died, Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Danville Care Center. He was born April 20, 1929 in Burlington, Iowa to Chester Cornic and Lela Marie Lauer Helphrey. On July 20, 1958 he married Norma Lea Wollam at the Mt. Union United Methodist Church.
His first three years of school were at Center Country School in Mt. Union; he graduated from Mt. Union Consolidated Schools and attended Iowa Wesleyan College for two years. Don served two years in the United States Army with basic training at Camp Polk, Louisiana, then was shipped to Heidelberg, Germany and was honorably discharged as a Corporal. He farmed the family farm for fifty years before retiring.
He served on the Mt. Union Cooperative Elevator Company Board of Directors from 1977 – 1989 and was President the last five years. He was a member of the Winfield VFW, Winfield American Legion, and was a 50+ year member of the New London Country Club. From 1964 until 2015, he volunteered at Midwest Old Threshers with the Mt. Union Booster Club and in 1998 was named Old Thresher of the Year by the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association. Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, dancing with his wife Norma, attending local sporting events, and spending precious time with his family.
Survivors include his wife; children Steve Helphrey of Appleton, Wisconsin, Joni Helphrey Lewis of Windsor, Wisconsin, and Terry (Lisa) Helphrey of LaVista, Nebraska; and five grandchildren, Brittany, Dante, Ashley, Anna and Reid. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Anna Maxine.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Daily Jail Count
In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.
Date: 08-25-2021______
JAIL COUNT
28 Henry County Inmates
48 Out of County Contract Inmates
76 TOTAL
Janey May Rice
Don L. Helphrey
Burlington House Fire Proves Fatal
At 7:02 AM Tuesday August 24, 2021 the Burlington Fire and Police Departments responded to
a reported house fire at 1126 Washington Street in Burlington. Firefighters arrived at 7:04 AM
to find a two-story apartment house with heavy fire showing in the front. Initial 911 calls to
DESCOM reported people trapped inside the house. Dispatchers worked with the callers to
obtain information on their locations as police officers and firefighters worked outside to
evacuate the house and bring the fire under control.
The 4-unit apartment house, owned by Wilson Rentals of Burlington, sustained extensive
damage and is considered a total loss. The property is insured. Three of the four units were
occupied with a total of 4 occupants. Two of the occupants were injured. They were treated at
the scene and transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. A
third occupant escaped uninjured and left the scene prior to police arrival. The two occupants
were treated and released from the hospital.
Firefighters conducted a search of the building and located a fourth occupant, Samantha M.
Hoenig, 44. Ms. Hoenig was removed from the house by firefighters. Paramedics treated Ms.
Hoenig at the scene and transported her to SEIRMC where she later died of her injuries.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Police and Fire Departments
and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office. It is not considered suspicious at this time.
Eleven Burlington firefighters initially responded to the call and were assisted by five West
Burlington firefighters responding on automatic aid. Burlington police officers and deputies
from Des Moines County Sheriff’s office assisted with injured victims and fireground
operations. Superior Ambulance, Alliant Energy, and 1-800-Board-Up provided vital assistance
at the scene. One firefighter was injured and was being treated at the hospital
Supervisors Disburse Funds to Two Broadband Companies
During their Tuesday meeting the Henry County Supervisors voted to share federal funds with two local fiber optic companies. Farmers and Merchants Mutual Telephone of Wayland and Danville Mutual Telephone each will receive $700,000. Henry County is a primary recipient of American Recovery Plan funds to assist with recovery from the impact of COVID-19, receiving over three million dollars. Last week the Board disbursed $250,000 each to the New London and Mount Pleasant Community Childcare Centers.