Dubuque Man Headed To Federal Prison For Meth Fire

A man who caused a fire while attempting to manufacture methamphetamine in his Dubuque apartment was sentenced today to six and one­‑half years in federal prison.

Jeremiah Shaw, 42, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 11, 2013 guilty plea to one count of attempting to manufacture methamphetamine near a playground.

Information disclosed at the plea and sentencing hearings indicated that Shaw attempted to cook methamphetamine at his apartment on April 28, 2013.  Shaw’s attempted cook caused a fire to ignite in the apartment.  Two other people were present in the apartment, which was located within 1,000 feet of three separate playgrounds. 

Shaw was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade.  Shaw was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment.  A special assessment of $100 was imposed.  He must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Shaw is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot and investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force. 

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/ login.pl.  The case file number is CR 13-1014.