By JOHN MANGALONZO

jmangalonzo@thehawkeye.com

Joshua Caleb Williams, 20 of Burlington, who even after being dealt with a conviction Monday for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, was handed the hope of probation by way of a suspended five-year prison term.

Citing a plea agreement signed with Williams and his attorney in January, Des Moines County prosecutor Tyron Rogers did not make any penalty recommendation.

Williams' attorney, James Beres, noted his client's youth and lack of a felony conviction as basis for the request for a suspended sentence.

District Court Judge Mary Ann Brown, shortly after placing the young man on probation for three years, said what he wants to do with his life is up to him.

Brown added that upon reading the presentence investigation, it seems Williams has a 13-year-old sister who is dependent on him.

Authorities said agents from the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, officers from the Burlington Police Department and Des Moines County Tactical Response Team operatives executed a warrant at 1701 Orchard St. No. 1, the known address of Williams, on Sept. 22.

In the kitchen, agents said they found and seized a small bag of marijuana. A further search of the kitchen yielded more than 100 grams of marijuana inside one of the cabinets, police said.

A digital scale and some packaging materials also were seized. Agents said they also found a 9mm handgun hidden under a sofa cushion along with nearly $1,000 in cash.

During an interview with agents, Williams reportedly said he had been selling marijuana since 2008 to supplement his income.

Prosecutors said Williams would buy 2 to 4 ounces of marijuana at a time then repackage and sell them in $10 and $20 increments.