Two Cedar Rapids Fentanyl Dealers Sentenced to Federal Prison

Fentanyl PillsPhoto byDEA

The U.S. Attorney's Office, for the Northern District of Iowa announced that two Cedar Rapids men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Henry Sorrell Barnes, Jr., 35, and Noah Christopher Ward, 25, received sentences of 78 months and 39 months, respectively, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Barnes admitted to distributing more than 4,000 pills containing fentanyl between January and June 2022. Ward, who also pleaded guilty, was responsible for distributing over 800 fentanyl pills, many of which he obtained directly from Barnes. Law enforcement found that both men were part of a larger operation distributing significant quantities of counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl throughout the Cedar Rapids area.

The case highlights the ongoing fentanyl crisis, which has seen a sharp rise in overdose deaths nationwide. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is often mixed with other drugs, leading to fatal overdoses. Authorities emphasize that this sentencing is part of a broader effort to combat the trafficking of this deadly drug.

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and local law enforcement, underscoring the collaborative efforts required to address the proliferation of fentanyl in communities.

U.S. Attorney Timothy Duax reiterated the seriousness of fentanyl distribution and its devastating impact on communities, noting that the sentences should serve as a warning to others involved in the illegal drug trade. Both men will serve their sentences in federal prison, with Barnes also facing six years of supervised release following his prison term, and Ward facing three years of supervised release.

This case serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of drug trafficking and the ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to protect communities from the scourge of opioid abuse.

For more details, visit Justice.gov.