A local man has been indicted by a federal grand jury after police said he supplied the fentanyl pills that killed a 21-year-old in Coralville in 2024.
Jerome Smith, 36, was arrested by local authorities in October after police found a 21-year-old dead in Coralville. During the investigation, police discovered that Smith allegedly “delivered” four fentanyl pills to the individual in exchange for $60 a few weeks earlier.
Smith was set to go on trial on May 27 in the Johnson County District Court, but the case was dismissed as federal authorities pursue their charges.
Indictment means Smith could spend decades in prison
The grand jury’s indictment charges Smith with four counts: Distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm.
Fentanyl is considered a “Schedule II” substance on the government’s five-to-one classification system, in which one is the most severe.
The first two charges carry a minimum 20-year sentence under federal law. For possession of a firearm during a drug crime, the minimum sentence is five years. The gun possession charge carries a potential fine, a prison term of up to 15 years, or both, according to federal law. In total, Smith could face at least 45 years in prison if convicted.
Smith, referred to occasionally in court documents as “Romeo,” was charged with two Class “C” felonies in Johnson County in connection with the 21-year-old’s death. Those charges could have sent him to prison for up to 20 years.
Smith was also facing separate charges in another case that included felonies for a controlled substance violation and possessing a firearm. Those were also dropped after the indictment was filed.
A jury trial is set for June 2 at the federal courthouse in Davenport.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Federal grand jury indicts local man for 2024 fentanyl death of 21-year-old in Coralville
Reporting by Ryan Hansen, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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