Two Cedar Falls Men Charged with Possessing Carfentanil Disguised as Oxycodone Pills with Intent to Distribute

Cameron James Lensmeyer, age 20, and Evan Paul Sage, age 20, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, have each been charged with one count of possessing with intent to distribute carfentanil, as well as other drugs.  Sage has also been charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.­  The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed on February 9, 2018, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids. 

The Indictment alleges that, on or about June 30, 2017, Lensmeyer possessed with intent to distribute carfentanil and marijuana.  It further alleges that, on the same date, Sage possessed with intent to distribute carfentanil, marijuana, and cocaine, and that he possessed a firearm in furtherance of those drug crimes. 

Evidence at a detention hearing held on February 13, 2018, showed that, in June 2017, the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted a search of Lensmeyer’s and Sage’s shared Cedar Falls residence.  During the search, investigators seized over 800 blue pills that appeared to be prescription oxycodone pills (depicted below), over $20,000 in cash, over 30 grams of cocaine, over 600 grams of marijuana, and a loaded .32 caliber handgun.  Later testing determined that the blue pills contained carfentanil.  Carfentanil is a powerful narcotic that is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.  It is not approved for use by humans, but is used as an elephant tranquilizer.

If convicted, Lensmeyer faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.  If convicted on all charges, Sage faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $5,250,000 fine, $200 in special assessments, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.­ 

Both men appeared on February 9, 2018, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.  Trial for both men is set for March 26, 2018. 

As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the Tri‑County Drug Enforcement Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.

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

The case file number is 18-CR-2004-LRR.

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