Johnson County man charged with selling fentanyl that caused a man’s death

IOWA CITY — A Johnson County man arrested earlier this month on drug charges now faces a charge of selling fentanyl to a man resulting in that man’s death.

Jerome Smith, 35, was arrested initially arrested Oct. 3 on drug charges.

On Tuesday, another controlled substance charge was added against Smith concerning the Oct. 2 death of a 21-year-old man from acute fentanyl intoxication. The man is not identified in court records.

Coralville police investigators discovered through phone records and witness reports that Smith had sold the man four fentanyl pills — a powerful opioid — for $60 on the day he died, the complaint states.

The criminal complaints for the original charges against Smith list his residence in Coralville, but the complaints filed Tuesday list his residence in Solon.

The Oct. 3 charges against Smith came after police officers arranged to meet with him for a drug purchase. He ran from the officers after arriving at the agreed upon location and was caught just outside his residence in Coralville.

Smith had a Ruger pistol with a loaded magazine, 3.5 ounces of cocaine, and a large amount of money with him, according to a criminal complaint.

He was charged with a controlled substance violation, interference with official acts and possession of a firearm by a felon.

On Oct. 18, he was charged with tampering with a witness after police say he repeatedly phoned and wrote a witness in his case, threatening to harm the witness and their family members. He also told other people to go to the witness’ residence.

Smith is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail on $185,000 in bonds, $60,000 of which is cash-only.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com