CEDAR RAPIDS — A Chicago drug dealer tore through an Iowa neighborhood at more than twice the speed limit, ran a stop sign and nearly struck a city bus before hitting a curb and trying to escape on foot. Officers caught him nearby — and uncovered more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine during searches of his car and apartment.
Demetrius Stone, 54, was sentenced October 16 to 259 months in federal prison — 21 years and seven months — after pleading guilty May 8 to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Chase through residential streets ends with arrest
According to evidence presented at sentencing, Cedar Rapids police officers attempted to stop Stone’s car on January 7, 2026. Instead of pulling over, he accelerated away and led officers on a chase.
Stone drove through a residential area at more than twice the posted 25 mph speed limit. He ran a stop sign and narrowly avoided a city bus before striking a curb hard enough to damage his car.
As the vehicle slowed to a stop, Stone got out and tried to run. Officers apprehended him a short distance away.
Inside and near the car, officers found more than 11 pounds of ice methamphetamine.
Apartment search uncovers more meth, loaded gun and cash
Investigators searched Stone’s Cedar Rapids apartment later that evening, finding approximately another five and a half pounds of ice methamphetamine.
The search also turned up approximately eight ounces of cocaine, a loaded firearm and about $59,000 in cash.
Combined, the searches uncovered more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa.
NIT has covered other major meth trafficking prosecutions, including a California dealer who brought pounds of methamphetamine into Iowa and an Iowa trafficker tied to hundreds of pounds of ice methamphetamine.
More than two decades behind bars
Chief U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams imposed Stone’s sentence in Cedar Rapids. Stone must also complete five years of supervised release after serving his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Stone (pictured at top) remains in U.S. Marshals custody pending transfer to a federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep prosecuted the case. Investigators included the Drug Enforcement Administration and its task force partners: the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Marion Police Department and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.