Dubuque Duo Face Decades in Prison for Meth Lab Blaze

Two Dubuque residents are staring down the barrel of decades in federal prison after being charged with multiple meth-related offenses linked to a devastating fire that rocked their community. John Starks Sr., 46, and Casey Duhme, 24, have been accused of attempting to manufacture methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of Prescott Elementary School, a charge that also implicates their alleged conspiracy to cook the deadly drug.

According to court documents, the attempted lab’s blaze resulted in significant damage to a multi-family apartment building, across the street from the school. The fire so severely compromised the structure that it became uninhabitable, adding to the tragedy of the situation.

Starks faces a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and a possible maximum of 120 years’ imprisonment, along with a $4.5 million fine and a term of supervised release that could last from six years to life. Duhme’s penalties, if convicted on all charges, are equally severe: one year to 80 years in prison, a $4 million fine, and up to life on supervised release.

The duo made their first appearance in federal court in Cedar Rapids this month, with Starks’ arraignment on May 22nd and Duhme’s on May 13th. Both remain in custody of the United States Marshal as they await trial set for July 14th. Their next hearing is scheduled for June 18th.

Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot is leading the prosecution, while the Dubuque Drug Task Force, Dubuque Police Department, and Dubuque Fire Department investigated the case. Court file information can be accessed at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, under case number 14-cr-1009.

As with all criminal cases, the charges against Starks and Duhme are merely accusations, and both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty.