Cedar Rapids drug dealer who maintained drug houses draws 20 years in federal prison

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids drug dealer who kept residences in Cedar Rapids to distribute controlled substances has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

Corey Lamar Cullar Sr., 44, received the prison term Jan. 12 after he pleaded guilty last February to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Cullar was released from federal prison in February 2016. Records show he was sent there after pleading guilty to a federal gun charge. But starting in the fall of 2017, until his arrest in August 2021, testimony showed, Cullar rented a series of residences in Cedar Rapids and used them to distribute controlled substances.

Cullar and his associates, including family members, distributed marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine and ecstasy pills from these residences, authorities said in a news release. He involved minors, including his children, in the distribution of controlled substances and held a leadership role over several individuals.

Additionally, authorities said he possessed firearms and gave them to others. During his prosecution, Cullar obstructed justice by intimidating or attempting to intimidate a witness, authorities said.

U.S. District Court Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Cullar to 240 months’ imprisonment — the statutory maximum sentence allowed for his offense. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Cullar is being held in the U.S. Marshals Service custody until he is transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the FBI, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com