Federal Judge Finds Davenport Man Guilty of Distributing Fentanyl to a Drug User Resulting in His Death

DAVENPORT, IA- On Wednesday, June 26, 2019, the Honorable Stephanie M. Rose, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Iowa, found Jonas Ross, III, age 38, of Davenport, guilty of one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death.

Beginning on May 4, 2019, a bench trial was held before Judge Rose. The evidence showed the victim, who was familiar with Ross, had traveled to Davenport from Ohio on or about November 30, 2017, and checked into the Days Inn on Northwest Boulevard. The victim had contacted Ross to obtain heroin. On December 2, 2017, the victim’s body was discovered in his motel room. Forensic evidence revealed the victim had overdosed and died from ingesting fentanyl. The police recovered heroin, fentanyl, and furanyl-fentanyl in the victim’s room.

Ross had previously entered guilty pleas to three counts of distribution of heroin, some of which contained fentanyl and acryl-fentanyl. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 30 years each for the three counts of distribution of heroin and a mandatory life sentence for distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death. Sentencing is presently scheduled for October 29, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

The investigation was conducted by the City of Davenport Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.