Jarad Postell Sentenced

A devastating fentanyl overdose has led to a 25-year prison sentence for Jarad Paul Postell, a 40-year-old Davenport man. Postell was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, for Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl Purported to be Heroin Resulting in Death and Serious Bodily Injury.

The case began in September 2019 when Davenport Police Department officers responded to Genesis West Hospital in reference to a drug overdose. The victim was pronounced deceased upon arrival, and officers received the description of the individual and vehicle that had dropped the victim off. Members of the Bettendorf Police Department made contact with Postell and another individual shortly after the events at the hospital at a casino in Bettendorf.

According to evidence at trial, Postell admitted to meeting the victim and conspiring with one of his co-defendants to obtain fentanyl purported to be heroin. In Postell’s presence, the victim used the purported heroin and began to drift in and out of consciousness. After a failed attempt at administering Narcan, Postell drove the victim to the hospital and dropped the victim off, where they were quickly pronounced deceased.

On June 11, 2021, Postell was found guilty as charged after a jury trial. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bettendorf Police Department (BPD) investigated the case.

Following his imprisonment, Postell was ordered to serve five years of supervised release, immediately pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and pay $15,969.75 in restitution with his codefendants. The sentence serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of fentanyl distribution and the importance of holding those responsible accountable.

The investigation and sentencing of Jarad Postell demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combating the fentanyl epidemic and seeking justice for victims and their families. As the nation continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, cases like Postell’s serve as a warning to those involved in the distribution of deadly substances.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement agencies will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute individuals involved in the manufacture, distribution, and possession of fentanyl and other illicit substances. The sentence handed down to Jarad Postell is a testament to the severity of the crime and the dedication of law enforcement to protecting communities from the scourge of drug trafficking.

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