CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – A Waterloo woman is facing more than three years behind bars after supplying the heroin that killed her own cousin. Marvita Roxanna Causey, 39, was sentenced June 10, 2019, in federal court, a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of the fentanyl crisis gripping the nation.
Causey pleaded guilty November 20, 2018, to one count of distribution of controlled substances. Court documents detail how Causey provided what she believed to be heroin to both her cousin and another woman. The seemingly innocuous act quickly turned tragic. Analysis of leftover residue revealed the heroin was cut with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid exponentially more dangerous than heroin itself.
The fallout was swift and devastating. Causey’s cousin was found dead, and Causey herself admitted the distribution of the heroin and fentanyl was the direct cause of the fatal overdose. The case highlights the callous disregard some drug dealers have for human life, and the ripple effects of addiction that tear families apart. This isn’t just about drugs; it’s about broken lives and shattered families.
United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams handed down the 37-month prison sentence in Cedar Rapids. But the sentence doesn’t end there. Causey will also serve a three-year term of supervised release after completing her time, a small consolation for a life lost. Crucially, there is no parole in the federal system; she will serve her full sentence.
Currently, Causey is in the custody of the United States Marshals, awaiting transport to a designated federal prison. Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle prosecuted the case, with crucial investigative work conducted by the Waterloo Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling the opioid epidemic.
Those seeking more detailed information about the case can access court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 18-CR-2061. For updates on cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, follow them on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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