A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to over 25 years in federal prison for his involvement in drug distribution and firearm possession. James Colquhoun, aged 40, pleaded guilty on February 10, 2025, to charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance following a prior serious drug felony conviction. He also faced charges related to carrying and possessing firearms during drug trafficking crimes.
The court hearings revealed that from January 2024 to February 13, 2024, Colquhoun conspired with others to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in Cedar Rapids. On February 13, officers stopped his vehicle and found over 500 grams of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, more than $25,000 in cash, and a firearm. A subsequent search of his hotel room uncovered over 600 grams of heroin, over 50 grams of methamphetamine, and another firearm.
Colquhoun had previously been convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa in 2014 for similar offenses involving controlled substances and firearms.
Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Colquhoun to 336 months in prison followed by a ten-year supervised release term. The federal system does not allow parole.
Currently held by the United States Marshal’s custody, Colquhoun awaits transfer to a federal prison.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as local police departments from Cedar Rapids and Marion.
