Traffic stop in Des Moines County leads to arrest of Mt. Pleasant man

BURLINGTON — A routine traffic stop in Des Moines County led to the arrest of a Mt. Pleasant man on multiple drug-related charges, including possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and marijuana, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a press release from the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped a vehicle at Sunnyside Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Feb. 3 for an equipment violation.

During the stop, a K-9 unit conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. Deputies then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.

Deputies discovered multiple individually packaged baggies containing approximately 338 grams of methamphetamine and 27 grams of marijuana, as well as a scale, drug packaging materials, and $1,179 in cash, during the search. No drug tax stamps were affixed to any of the seized substances, a violation of Iowa law.

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The driver, identified as 34-year-old Matthew Allen Williams of Mt. Pleasant, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

Williams is facing charges including possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class B felony; possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a Class D felony; failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class D felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Court records indicate that Williams was already on parole for a previous drug-related conviction out of Washington County from 2022. His parole had previously been reviewed due to a 2023 arrest in Henry County for possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, for which he received a suspended five-year prison sentence with probation.

According to a parole violation report filed by Parole Officer Robert Humphrey, Williams repeatedly failed drug tests, testing positive for methamphetamine or THC 15 times in the past year. Additionally, he had missed 14 drug tests in December 2024 and January 2025.

Following this most recent arrest in Des Moines County, Humphrey requested a warrant for Williams’ arrest and a parole violation hearing.

Williams remains in custody as he awaits further court proceedings.

*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. *

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com