Pubdate: Wed, 05 Apr 2006
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Copyright: 2006 The Des Moines Register.
Contact:  http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Author: Erin Jordan,  Register Iowa City Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have  not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.

TEEN ALLEGEDLY BRAGGED ABOUT STRENGTH OF DRUG

Three people, including a teenager, have been charged with causing 
heroin deaths as part of an eastern Iowa investigation into heroin trafficking.

A 17-year-old boy is accused of giving high-potency heroin to two 
people, one of whom died and another who came close to dying, 
according to charges unsealed Friday in the U.S. District Court for 
the Northern District of Iowa.

The teen, identified only as "L.M.", later bragged about the strength 
of his heroin, said Assistant U.S. Attorney C.J. Williams.

"After one of his customers . . . died as a result of using heroin 
provided to him by the juvenile, the juvenile attempted to use that 
fact as an additional sales tool, claiming that his heroin was so 
pure that it could kill a person," Williams said in court documents.

The boy was also charged with conspiring to distribute heroin between 
2003 and 2006, and distributing heroin in November and December 2005. 
He was released to home detention. If convicted, he faces up to 20 
years in prison.

Two Cedar Rapids men were charged last week with providing heroin 
that caused the deaths of two people.

[Name redacted], 33, was charged with distributing heroin in June 
2001 that resulted in the death of a person identified as Z.L., and 
with unlawful transport of firearms. [Name redacted], 23, was charged 
with distributing heroin in June 2004 that caused the death of a 
person identified as J.H.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman