Cedar Rapids fugitive indicted on drug charges will remain in jail pending October trial

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man who has gun and drug convictions will remain in jail pending his October federal trial for distributing drugs after being a fugitive for months until being arrested July 29 in Wisconsin.

Cordarryl Cortez Smith, 37, was indicted in April on two counts of distribution of a controlled substance near a protected location, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of distribution and aiding and abetting the distribution of a controlled substance near a protected location.

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The arraignment for Smith, convicted in 2016 in Linn County District Court of shooting a man and other gun-related charges, in U.S. District Court was on hold pending his arrest. He had been a fugitive for months until the U.S. Marshals Service developed information that he was in Wisconsin.

The marshals of the Northern District of Iowa, working with the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, narrowed Smith’s whereabouts to the 5300 block of High Crossing Boulevard in Madison, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. He was spotted when he left a building about 10:30 a.m. July 29 to get into a vehicle.

Marshals arrested him and he was extradited back to Cedar Rapids.

Smith, during an initial appearance and arraignment hearing last week, pleaded not guilty to all five charges and was temporarily in marshals’ custody until his detention hearing Wednesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Roberts, during the hearing, ruled Smith would remain in jail pending his Oct. 15 trial in U.S. District Court. Roberts ruled there is probable cause that Smith committed the indicted offenses and there is no condition or combination of conditions of release that will “reasonably assure the safety” of the community. Further, the judge cited Smith’s criminal history; use of violence or weapons; a lack of significant community or family ties in the district; and prior failure to appear for court.

Smith is accused of distributing 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine on March 2, 2023, within 1,000 feet of Johnson STEAM Academy Magnet School in Cedar Rapids.

He also is accused of distributing 50 grams of more of meth and a mixture or substance containing fentanyl on March 8 and Nov. 2, 2023.

And Smith was indicted for distributing a controlled substance on Nov. 16, 2023, and distributing and aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine on Nov. 30, 2023, within 1,000 feet of Metro High School in Cedar Rapids.

The distribution charges carry a penalty of 10 years or more in federal prison.

Smith served about three or four years in a state prison of a 15-year sentence ordered in 2016 before being paroled in 2021, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections. Smith, in that case, shot another man, Mack Jackson, then 38, during a Sept. 5, 2015, argument. The handgun used by Smith was one of 20 guns stolen from a safe in an unsecured, unattached garage on July 26, 2013.

Smith also was a fugitive in that case. Marshals found him months later in Illinois.

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