Press Release
Head of Methamphetamine Organization Sent To Prison For Twenty-Five Years
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Iowa
A man who was responsible for distributing pounds of ice methamphetamine and tampering with witnesses was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison.
Martin Lawrence, 53, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 28, 2015, jury verdict finding him guilty of three counts: conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of ice methamphetamine; possession of at least 5 grams of ice methamphetamine with the intent to distribute; and witness tampering.
Evidence at trial showed Lawrence was the head of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing significant quantities of ice methamphetamine, a highly pure, crystalized form of methamphetamine, in Eastern Iowa. Lawrence obtained the drug from a source of supply located in Omaha, Nebraska, and transported it back to Iowa for redistribution. Lawrence relied on a network of retail-level distributors who distributed the drug throughout northeast Iowa.
Investigators learned of the organization after Lawrence’s step-son brought a stuffed animal containing methamphetamine to his elementary school. During the investigation of this case, law enforcement seized additional methamphetamine, cash, and numerous luxury vehicles from Lawrence including a Mercedes, BMW, Corvette, and Porsche.
After his arrest on federal charges, Lawrence instructed government witnesses to avoid contact with law enforcement in order to prevent these witnesses from testifying at their trial. Based on these instructions, Lawrence was found guilty of witness tampering.
During the same trial, Troy Lawrence was also convicted of conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of ice methamphetamine; distribution of at least 5 grams of ice methamphetamine with the intent to distribute; and witness tampering. On January 14, 2016, Troy Lawrence was sentenced to a 262 month term of imprisonment.
Lawrence was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Senior Judge Mark W. Bennett. Lawrence was sentenced to 300 months imprisonment. A special assessment of $300 was imposed. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Lawrence is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
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.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Updated April 15, 2016
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component