U.S. Department
of Justice
Media Advisory: Press Availability to Announce Investigation and Prosecution of Over Twenty Defendants for Trafficking Heroin
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Opioids kill hundreds of Iowans every year. These dangerous drugs wreak havoc on lives and communities. Unfortunately, all too often, the use of an opioid such as heroin ends with an overdose because people do not know what they have or how dangerous it is.
On June 1, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa will sentence Jarel Williams for his role in trafficking heroin. He will be the 22nd defendant sentenced over the last 20 months for their roles in distributing this dangerous drug. These prosecutions were the result of Operation Blue Devils, an investigation conducted by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Following the sentencing, the United States Attorney will issue a press release regarding the investigation and prosecutions. Additionally, United States Attorney Peter Deegan, CRPD Chief of Police Wayne Jerman, CRPD Lieutenant Bob Collins (commander of the narcotics unit), CRPD Officer Lindsay Powers (assigned to the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative), and DEA Resident Agent-in-Charge Russ Coulter will all be available for interviews regarding the investigation and prosecutions.
Event Details
When: June 1, 2020
Where: Cedar Rapids Federal Courthouse (United States Attorney’s Office), 111 7th Ave. SE
Time: Sentencing Hearing scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Interview availability after the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.
Please contact Tony Morfitt at tony.morfitt@usdoj.gov or 319-363-6333 to schedule interviews.
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