United States of America v. Taft Cornelius Burtton

Council Bluffs, IA criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possessing distribution quantities of meth, fentanyl, and heroin, and a firearm.

Georgia Man Sentenced to 300 Months in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm Charges

Taft Cornelius Burtton, 32, fled from law enforcement who were attempting to traffic stop his car on April 20, 2023 within Adair County. Burtton drove over 112 miles per hour on I-80, exited and re-entered the interstate, and made a U-turn in the median. Law enforcement disabled Burtton's vehicle and he fled on foot and was not apprehended. Inside Burtton's vehicle was 884 grams of methamphetamine and more than $42,000 in drug proceeds.



On December 7, 2023, law enforcement searched Burtton's Des Moines residence and found him in possession of more than 50 grams of fentanyl, 150 grams of heroin, 150 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of crack, 300 grams of marijuana, and a loaded Ruger pistol. Burtton is prohibited from possessing firearms because he is a felon, including a 2016 conviction in the Illinois Circuit Court for Cook County for delivery of cocaine at a public high school.



United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Adair Police Department, Des Moines Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff's Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.