CEDAR RAPIDS – A man racing through Floyd county toting 500 grams of meth with the intent to distribute it was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison.
John Trinidad Qualls, age 43, from Tucson, Arizona, received the prison term after a September 22, 2023 guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
In a plea agreement, Qualls admitted that, on December 31, 2022, in Floyd County, Iowa, deputies with the sheriff’s office stopped him for speeding. Qualls was driving 33 miles per hour over the speed limit. Qualls handed the deputies a pouch that contained his license, insurance, and registration. There was marijuana residue inside the pouch, and both the pouch and documents smelled of marijuana. Qualls admitted that he had used marijuana earlier that day. Deputies searched the car and found 1,200 grams of methamphetamine.
Qualls was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Qualls was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Qualls is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
