Two Cedar Rapids Brothers Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Witness Tampering

Two brothers who conspired to distribute methamphetamine were convicted by a jury on October 28, 2015, after a three-day jury trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Martin Lawrence, 52 and Troy Lawrence, 54, both from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute ice methamphetamine, distribution of ice methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute ice methamphetamine, and witness tampering.  The verdict was returned following approximately three hours of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that Martin Lawrence headed a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing pounds of ice methamphetamine, a highly pure, crystalized form of methamphetamine, in Eastern Iowa.  His brother, Troy Lawrence, assisted the organization by distributing ice methamphetamine in the Cedar Rapids area.  Investigators learned of the organization after Martin Lawrence’s step-son brought a stuffed animal containing methamphetamine to his elementary school.  The evidence at trial also established that Martin Lawrence obtained ice methamphetamine from Omaha and transported it back to the Cedar Rapids area where he relied on a network of individuals who distributed it on his behalf.  In addition, after their arrest on federal charges, both defendants instructed government witnesses to avoid contact with law enforcement in order to prevent these witnesses from testifying at trial.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after the preparation of the presentence reports.  Martin and Troy Lawrence remain in custody of the United States Marshal.  Both brothers face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, over $10,000,000 in fines, $300 in special assessments, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dubuque Drug Task Force.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 15-CR-0069.

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