Cedar Rapids man convicted by federal jury for dealing near fatal dose of heroin laced with fentanyl

CEDAR RAPIDS - A man who distributed the heroin laced with fentanyl that caused a near-fatal overdose was convicted Wednesday by a federal jury, following a three-day trial.

Cordero Robert Seals, 29, of Cedar Rapids, was convicted of one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

The jury deliberated three hours Wednesday.

Evidence at trial showed Seals sold heroin laced with fentanyl to a man last November. Seals and the man then drove to a convenience store on First Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, where the man entered the store's bathroom and injected the heroin and fentanyl mix. A store surveillance video showed that about two minutes after the man left the bathroom, he lost consciousness and collapsed at the gas pump.

The video also showed Seals looking out to the pumps where the man had collapsed after he re-entered the convenience store. He then left the area without returning to the man's vehicle.

In April, Seals was arrested on an outstanding warrant and during a search police found six baggies of heroin laced with fentanyl as well as nearly $3,800 in cash in his pockets, according to trial testimony.

Seals faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison. His sentencing hasn't been set at this time

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