DEFENDANT FIRES GUN AT GAS STATION, PLEADS GUILTY TO METHAMPHETAMINE DISTRIBUTION AND FIREARM POSSESSION
Cedar Rapids, IA – Jerry Dean Love, a 39-year-old methamphetamine dealer, has pleaded guilty to distributing the deadly drug and illegally possessing a handgun after firing his gun at a local gas station.
Love’s crimes came to light when he sold an ounce of ice methamphetamine to an undercover police informant at his house in Cedar Rapids on October 26, 2016. He then drove to Guppy’s on the Go on Edgewood Road NW and fired his .45 caliber pistol into the street on February 6, 2017.
Love, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms. He then drove to Casey’s General Store on 33rd Avenue SW, where police officers spotted him in his truck and ordered him to get out. Love refused, and officers were forced to break his truck windows and send a dog inside to get him to leave.
During his arrest, officers found 19.2 grams of pure methamphetamine and $360 in cash on Love. His truck also contained the .45 caliber pistol, a loaded .45 caliber magazine, a methamphetamine pipe, and 11 additional .45 caliber cartridges.
Love faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, as well as an $8,250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin A. Lightfoot and Patrick J. Reinert, as well as Special Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman. It was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.
Jerry Dean Love remains in custody pending sentencing and is set to face a judge after a presentence report is prepared. The case file number is 17-CR-12-LRR.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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