Desmond McSwain, Crack Cocaine Possession, Iowa 2021
A Chicago man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing nearly 75 grams of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute it.
Desmond McSwain, 31, received the prison term after a guilty plea on June 28, 2021, to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance after having previously been convicted of a serious felony drug offense.
According to evidence presented at the plea and sentencing hearings, McSwain sold crack cocaine on multiple occasions in May and June of 2020. On August 28, 2020, McSwain was a passenger in a car that also contained two children. When law enforcement stopped the vehicle, they smelled an overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from the car.
Law enforcement found just under 75 grams of crack cocaine, marijuana, and over $1,000 in cash. McSwain had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses for trafficking heroin in Illinois.
McSwain was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda Reade. He was sentenced to 120 months' imprisonment and must also serve an 8-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
McSwain is being held in the United States Marshal's custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Devra Hake and Alex Geocaris, and it was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Dubuque Drug Task Force.
Defendant: Desmond McSwain
Criminal Charges: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance
City and State: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Date: August 28, 2020
Sentence: 120 months' imprisonment and 8 years supervised release
Dollar Amounts: $1,000 in cash
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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