Rock Island Man Sentenced to 130 Months in Prison for Drug Distribution Offenses

DAVENPORT, IA - On March 16, 2017, Dajuan Parnell, 22, of Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 130 months in prison for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Parnell was ordered to serve four years of supervised release following his prison term and to pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

On October 17, 2016, Parnell pleaded guilty to the drug distribution charges and admitted on June 12, 2016, he was in possession of both crack cocaine and cocaine with the intent to distribute each controlled substance. The charges were the result of an investigation that began when a marked Iowa State Patrol (ISP) vehicle pulled behind Parnell’s vehicle at a red light in downtown Davenport at approximately 3:20 a.m. Parnell immediately ran the red light and eluded the ISP vehicle. Following a pursuit, which lasted approximately eight miles and involved speeds of approximately 90 miles per hour, Parnell’s vehicle became disabled and Parnell and two passengers fled the vehicle on foot. Parnell dropped a quantity of crack cocaine on the ground as he ran. In the vehicle, law enforcement recovered additional an additional quantity of crack cocaine, a quantity of cocaine, and a loaded, .40 caliber handgun. In total, law enforcement recovered 67.44 grams of crack cocaine and 10.51 grams of cocaine.

This matter was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, with assistance from the Davenport Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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Learn more about this release by either calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov