CEDAR RAPIDS – A man who intended to distribute nearly 60 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl pled guilty on November 4, 2019, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Lashon M. Jefferson, age 22, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance containing heroin and fentanyl.
In a plea agreement, Jefferson admitted that on July 25, 2019, and again on July 30, 2019, he was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. On both occasions, Jefferson entered the Linn County Correctional Center in possession of heroin laced with fentanyl. On July 30, Jefferson possessed nearly 56 grams of the fentanyl-laced heroin. Jefferson admitted that he intended to distribute some or all of the drugs to another person.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Jefferson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Jefferson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff’s Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
