Cedar Rapids man sentenced to over 11 years for drugs, guns

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man who ran when police approached his vehicle in April because he had nearly two kilograms of marijuana and a loaded handgun was sentenced Wednesday to over 11 years in federal prison.

Charles Robert Evans, 33, pleaded guilty in April to one count each of possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evans was approached by Cedar Rapids police officers last April and he jumped out of his car and attempted to run, according to court documents. Officers tackled and arrested him and found more than $3,000 in cash on him. When officers searched his vehicle, they found over 1,800 grams of marijuana and a loaded 9 mm pistol with an obliterated serial number.

Investigators said Evans admitted to possessing the marijuana with the intent to distribute it and had the firearm because he was involved with drugs.

Evans was again stopped by law enforcement a few months later in June of last year in Victor and was arrested. During a search of his vehicle, law enforcement found over 250 grams of marijuana and more than $6,000 in cash.

Evans criminal history includes 36 charges as an adult, including a felony crack distribution and multiple assaults, according to court documents.

U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Evans to 137 months in prison and also ordered him to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.

Evans remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he is taken to a designated federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Geocaris and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Chatham. The task force members are with the FBI and Cedar Rapids Police Department.

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