Kerry Morgan Jr. Sentenced for Fentanyl Death in Davenport

DAVENPORT, Iowa – In a grim turn of justice, Kerry Bernard Morgan Jr., 31, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 25 years in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl overdose that led to death and serious bodily injury.

Morgan Jr. was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence, pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and cough up $15,969.75 in restitution to his victims.

The harrowing events began on September 11, 2019, when Davenport Police Department officials were called to Genesis West Hospital for a drug overdose case that turned fatal. The victim was rushed to the hospital by one of Morgan Jr.’s co-defendants, who later informed detectives about their involvement after being read his rights.

Investigations led by the Bettendorf Police Department revealed that on the same day, Morgan Jr. sold a lethal mixture of heroin and fentanyl to this third co-defendant. Upon arrest, Morgan Jr. was found with additional distribution quantities of the deadly substances.

In a chilling confession after being read his rights, Morgan Jr. admitted to distributing more than fifty grams of ice methamphetamine and selling distribution quantities of heroin and fentanyl. The trial revealed that the fentanyl provided by Morgan Jr. eventually led to the victim’s death, with evidence showing Morgan Jr. was aware of the lethal nature of the substance.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence, with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bettendorf Police Department credited for their role in the investigation.