Hawkeye Reporter

A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to over 25 years in federal prison for drug-related offenses. James Colquhoun, aged 40, pleaded guilty on February 10, 2025, to charges including conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after a prior serious drug felony conviction and possession of firearms during drug trafficking.

Court evidence revealed that from January to February 13, 2024, Colquhoun conspired with others to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Cedar Rapids. On February 13, law enforcement stopped and searched his vehicle, discovering over 500 grams of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, more than $25,000 in cash, and a firearm. Further searches of his hotel room uncovered over 600 grams of heroin and another firearm.

Colquhoun's criminal history includes a 2014 conviction for distribution of a controlled substance and related firearms offenses in the Northern District of Iowa.

United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Colquhoun to 336 months' imprisonment followed by a decade of supervised release. There is no parole available in the federal system. Until transfer arrangements are completed, he remains in the custody of the United States Marshal.

The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson. The investigation involved several agencies: the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; Cedar Rapids Police Department; and Marion Police Department.