A Des Moines man identified as a member of the Black P Stones criminal street gang has been sentenced to 262 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Kevin Stanley Harris, Jr., 44, was sentenced on August 27, 2025, following an investigation that revealed his role as a high-level fentanyl dealer in Des Moines.
Court documents indicate that law enforcement began investigating Harris in the spring of 2024. The investigation established that Harris traveled between Des Moines and Chicago to obtain large quantities of fentanyl, which he then redistributed with the help of multiple co-conspirators. On December 18, 2024, authorities executed thirteen federal search warrants resulting in the seizure of approximately 610 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture, about 135 grams of methamphetamine, roughly 260 grams of marijuana, nineteen firearms, and over $13,000 in cash from various residences.
Harris was sentenced as a career offender under the United States Sentencing Guidelines due to his extensive criminal history. His record includes prior convictions for weapons possession and drug-related offenses, including a previous federal conviction from the Northern District of Iowa.
After serving his prison sentence, Harris will be subject to eight years of supervised release. Federal parole is not available.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal for the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing. The case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and United States Postal Inspection Service.
Des Moines Police Chief Michael McTaggart commented on the outcome: “The Des Moines Police Department is grateful for the strong partnership with our federal agencies, whose collaboration has been essential in our ongoing efforts to protect our community from the devastating effects of the illegal distribution of fentanyl. Justice for families impacted, and the prevention of tragedies yet to happen, comes from the joint efforts of the men and women who work together to intervene in the trafficking of this deadly drug.”
Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge at the Denver Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated: “Through our joint enforcement efforts, we’ve dismantled a criminal organization that posed a direct threat to the safety and stability of various communities. This sentencing is a result of a coordinated effort of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to keep heroin and other drugs out of our communities.”
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel added: “Fentanyl is an exceptionally destructive drug that wreaks havoc on our communities. We will continue partnering aggressively with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in Iowa. The sentencing of Kevin Stanley Harris, Jr., is one important step in our continuing fight to keep fentanyl out of our neighborhoods.”
Several co-defendants are scheduled for sentencing later this year.
According to national data cited by health authorities such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl remains a leading cause of overdose deaths across all age groups in America. Fatalities among youth aged 15-24 more than doubled between 2018 and 2022; counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl are often made to look like legitimate pharmaceuticals but can contain lethal doses.
