News : PALO MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 11 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

A man who possessed over 400 pounds of marijuana intending to distribute it in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced on August 4, 2011, to more than 11 years in federal prison.

Travis Dutton, age 38, from Palo, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 11, 2011, guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

At the plea hearing, Dutton admitted that on or about May 15, 2008, he knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Dutton had arranged for the marijuana to be transported from Arizona to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was arrested in possession of the marijuana.

Dutton was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Dutton was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Dutton 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 Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Department of Homeland Security; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; the Iowa City Police Department; the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services; and the Iowa National Guard.