Former owner of Iowa City synthetic marijuana business ‘Pipe Dreamz’ will remain in custody pending trial

A Center Point man, who operated an Iowa City pipe shop that was raided by DEA as part of the national crackdown on synthetic drugs, will remain in custody pending trial, a federal magistrate ruled Wednesday.

Robert Carl Sharp, 35, is charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession with intent to distribute and aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

According to court records, Sharp, formerly of Peoria, Ill., was the owner of Pipe Dreamz, which closed after the DEA raid May 8, 2014. His store, along with two others were raided and evidence was taken from the stores. According to the indictment, Sharp is accused of conspiring with others to manufacture, distribute and having possession of synthetic cannabinoids, a schedule I controlled substance, from August 2013 through May 7, 2014. Synthetic cannabinoids are smoked and marketed as herbal incense.

According to a search warrant application filed in Johnson County District Court on May 16, 2014, DEA officers had information Sharp was allegedly distributing synthetic marijuana from the Iowa City store and transporting the drugs in his vehicle to the store, to Peoria, Ill. and the residence of his friend, Wayne Christopher Watkins, in Cedar Rapids.

Watkins was also indicted in this case and is charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute, and aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute, a controlled substance. Watkins hasn't been arraigned at this time.

U.S. Chief Magistrate Jon Scoles denied Sharp's release pending trial based on his previous convictions for drugs, theft and aggravated battery, and numerous parole violations and two revoked supervised releases ordered following prison time.

Scoles said Sharp moved to Center Point in 2013 while on supervised release for a previous conviction, and didn't have permission to move to Iowa. His released was revoked and he was indicted March 31, and arrested in this case when he was released from federal prison in the previous offense.

Sharp pleaded not guilty to the charges last week. His trial date hasn't been set.