DAVENPORT, Iowa – Eight Burlington men were charged in federal court for their
roles in a multi-year joint federal and state investigation of a large drug trafficking
organization that operated out of Burlington. One of the defendants was previously
arrested and federally charged with felon in possession of a firearm. Four defendants
were arrested today. Those arrested will make their initial appearances in federal
court at the United States Courthouse in Davenport on Wednesday, November 3,
2021. All eight defendants have been charged with Conspiracy to Distribute
Methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(b)(1)(A)
and 846.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics
Taskforce; Burlington Police Department; Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office; Henry
County Sheriff’s Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Iowa Division of
Narcotics Enforcement. The Des Moines County Tactical Response Unit; Des Moines
County Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lee County Narcotics
Task Force; Muscatine County Tactical Team; Muscatine County Narcotics Task
Force; Washington County Tactical Team; Iowa State Patrol Tactical Teams; West
Burlington Police Department; and the Johnson County Municipal Drug Task Force
also assisted in the investigation.
“This long-term joint investigation shows our continued resolve to stand with and
support the hard work of our state and local partners and hold accountable those that
seek to obtain and distribute a highly addictive and lethal drug, methamphetamine,
into the Southeast Iowa community,” stated Acting United States Attorney Richard
Westphal.
“I want to thank all of the participating agencies for their hard work and dedication
that has resulted in the service and execution of the multitude of search and arrest
warrants, which will significantly impact the crime within the City of Burlington and
Southeast Iowa,” stated Marc Denney, Chief of Burlington Police, “as we know, drug
trafficking has no boundaries and has a detrimental effect, on our community and
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those near and far. Our commitment is to continue to work diligently to rid our
society of the criminal syndicates that rob our children of their youth and young
adults of a promising life.”
“This was a long-term collaborative investigation involving numerous investigators
from many different agencies. The excellent work and tireless efforts of these
investigators are a testament to their dedication to making our communities a safe
place to live, work, and play. The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have
worked together with all the law enforcement professionals involved in this
investigation, and to get these dangerous narcotic distributors out of our
communities,” stated Des Moines County Sheriff Kevin Glendening.
Those arrested include Clyde Macks Stewart, Jr.; Rudolph Sinclair Allen; Brian Keith
Davis, Jr.; Gregory Jermain Johnson; and Marcus Allen Johnson. The identities of
those not yet arrested remain sealed at this time. They all face mandatory minimum
sentences of at least ten years of imprisonment and a maximum term of life
imprisonment. A federal district judge will determine the sentences after considering
the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the
federal court system.
The investigation culminated in the execution of federal search warrants at the
following locations on November 2, 2021. Law enforcement officers seized four guns,
over $13,000 cash, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia
at six locations.
• 400 block of Franklin Street, Burlington
• 100 block of South Marshall Street, Burlington
• 1300 block of Jefferson Street, Burlington
• 1500 block of Ashmun Street, Burlington
• 1300 block of Washington Street, Burlington
• 1400 block of Hillary Avenue, Burlington
• 1200 block of Aetna Street, Burlington
The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of
guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the
government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt