A man who conspired to distribute heroin was convicted by a jury August 29, 2012, after a 2-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Dion Thomas, 35, from Chicago, Illinois, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and one count of heroin distribution. The verdict was returned this afternoon following about 2 hours of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that Thomas was part of a large-scale heroin distribution ring operating in Waterloo between 2009 and 2012. Thomas transported heroin from Chicago to Waterloo for distribution in Waterloo by others working for him. The evidence also showed Thomas distributed large quantities of crack cocaine through the same network of distributors.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Thomas remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the conspiracy charge, Thomas faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, an $8 million fine, a $100 special assessment, and at least 8 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. On the distribution charge, Thomas faces a possible maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a $2 million fine, a $100 special assessment, and at least 6 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Federal court. Tough court. Justice.
Waterloo has been a craphole for years. I doubt all that heroin did much harm to any of those people.