Cedar Rapids man will serve 27 years in federal prison for drugs

A 27-year-old man already serving five years in state prison for involuntary manslaughter won't be free on his release date because he will then start serving federal time on drug charges.

Patice Bolden, of Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 23 years in prison today in U.S. District Court for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He pleaded guilty to the charges last July.

Bolden was convicted in 2008 of a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter in Linn County District Court for the 2007 fatal shooting of Calvin Stringer, 29, of Cedar Rapids.

Bolden was a leader of a conspiracy to purchase crack cocaine in Illinois and to sell the drugs in Cedar Rapids between 2003 and February 2008. He also recruited people from Chicago, including two of his brothers who are minors, to sell the crack in Cedar Rapids.

Bolden and a co-conspirator, George Corbett, took the cash from the sales to Chicago to purchase more drugs.

Corbett was also sentenced today to 30 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base and money laundering.

The government asked for level increase in the sentencing guidelines based on Bolden's role in the conspiracy and for his recruitment of minors.

John Bishop, Bolden's attorney, argued that Bolden wasn't the leader of the conspiracy and none of the people involved in selling these drugs ever admitted Bolden recruited them.

U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade made level increase based on evidence that Bolden was the leader, recruited minors and his lengthy criminal history.

Bolden has several convictions from age 16 of battery, drugs, drunk driving, involuntary manslaughter and several other misdemeanors.

Bolden told Reade during the sentencing that he has learned and realized how his behavior has affected his family and society. He apologized to everyone he sold drugs to and for all the crimes he's committed.