CEDAR RAPIDS – An Iowa heroin dealer that caused an overdose death pled guilty on November 24, 2014, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Ramon Cortez Freeman, age 35, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of distribution of heroin resulting in death, three counts of distributing heroin, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
At the plea hearing, Freeman admitted he distributed heroin to another individual in January 2014. The heroin Freeman distributed was used by an individual identified as D.L., who used the heroin and died of a heroin overdose. Freeman also admitted to distributing heroin in February and twice in July. Court documents reflect the heroin distributed by Freeman in February and July was determined to be around 70% pure. Freeman also admitted he possessed a .45 caliber pistol loaded with seven rounds of ammunition in April 2014. Freeman admitted he had previously been convicted of drug felonies in Chicago, Illinois.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Freeman remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Freeman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life, $4,250,000 in fines, $500 in special assessments, and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.
