Fairfax man sentenced to over 24 years for meth trafficking

CEDAR RAPIDS — A federal judge this week sentenced a Fairfax man to more than 24 years in prison for selling methamphetamine and possessing firearms used in connection with drug trafficking.

U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Jason R. Corey, 54, to 265 months for convictions of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of controlled substance, two counts of possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

A jury found him guilty on all counts following a three-day trial in November.

Evidence at trial showed Corey sold a quarter-pound of meth to a confidential informant in August 2019 at Corey's house in Fairfax. Shortly after the sale, Corey was in a car that was stopped by law enforcement, and officers recovered more than 70 grams of meth.

The meth was hidden in the bottom of a disinfectant wipes container and a bag, according to testimony. Authorities searched Corey's home and found a half pound of meth and two guns.

During an interview with police, Corey admitted to distributing more than 25 pounds of the drug during 2019 and said one of his meth sources gave him the two firearms for protection.

Judge Williams also ordered Corey to serve a five years of supervised release after prison.

He will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he can be transferred to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Nydle and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The task force is a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha police departments, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration.

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