A Waterloo resident, Javoni Marcelius Butler, also known as “G Man,” has been sentenced to 37 years in federal prison for smuggling fentanyl from Mexico and distributing it in the Waterloo area. Butler, age 44, was convicted by a jury on September 20, 2024, of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, international money laundering, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
According to evidence presented at trial and sentencing, Butler began traveling to Mexico as early as January 2022 to obtain fentanyl pills and powder. He brought more than 10,000 fentanyl pills and a substantial amount of powder into the United States over nearly two years. Authorities said Butler possessed firearms during this period and made credible threats of violence, including threatening his son in connection with drug-related disputes. He also directed the activities of several individuals involved in drug distribution.
On March 14, 2023, Butler instructed a friend seeking more fentanyl pills to go to his residence while he was out of town. The friend later told Butler he had continued taking the pills despite warnings about their danger. The next day, the friend died from an overdose linked to fentanyl obtained from Butler.
Butler was stopped by law enforcement on May 9, 2023 due to an active warrant. Officers searched his vehicle and found almost $60,000 in cash inside a backpack.
On December 20, 2023, officers searched both Butler’s home and another property he used as a stash house. They seized over 40 grams of fentanyl powder, a pill containing fentanyl, and a firearm. Around this time, intercepted phone calls revealed that Butler acknowledged he would be going to jail and regretted not stopping drug sales sooner. He also discussed plans to flee prosecution by escaping to Mexico or Belize. Law enforcement arrested him in the Southern District of Texas on December 21.
Chief Judge C.J. Williams handed down the sentence in Cedar Rapids: “Butler was sentenced to 444 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a five‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.”
Butler will remain in U.S. Marshal’s custody until he is transported to federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson. It was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program through cooperation between multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force (which comprises several local police departments), Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Drug Enforcement Administration; United States Postal Inspection Service; and Homeland Security Investigations.
