Cedar Rapids man sentenced to 28 years for meth trafficking after previous conviction

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man with previous drug and firearm convictions was sentenced this week to 28 years in prison for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in 2024.

James Colquhoun, 40, of Cedar Rapids, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after a previous conviction.

According to evidence at the plea hearing and sentencing, Colquhoun conspired with others to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine between January and February 2024 in the Cedar Rapids area. On Feb. 13, 2024, officers conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle and found over 500 grams of meth, heroin, cocaine, more than $25,000 in cash and a firearm.

Colquhoun knowingly possessed those controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, according to the plea. After the traffic stop, officers searched the hotel room where Colquhoun was living. Investigators found over 600 grams of heroin, 50 grams of meth and another firearm.

According to court documents, Colquhoun was convicted in 2014 for distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams this week sentenced Colquhoun to 336 months in prison. He also must serve 10 years of supervised release.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hudson. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and Cedar Rapids and Marion police departments.

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