Bridgette Marie Washington, a 47-year-old from Waterloo, Iowa, was sentenced on April 6 to more than two decades in federal prison for distributing drugs that led to a fatal overdose.
Washington pleaded guilty on September 22, 2025, to one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death. The sentencing took place in Cedar Rapids before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams, who ordered Washington to serve 252 months—equivalent to 21 years—in prison. She will also be subject to six years of supervised release after completing her sentence. There is no parole available in the federal system.
According to court records, between July 2022 and January 2023, Washington and two others sold methamphetamine, powder heroin, and M-30 pills containing fentanyl. During this period, Washington’s drug sales resulted in four non-fatal overdoses across September, November, and December of 2022. On January 2, 2023, she sold substances described as “A1” drugs—which indicated high potency—to several customers; each person lost consciousness after use. One individual died from using the drugs purchased from Washington that day.
The investigation into the case was conducted by the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force with involvement from multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Waterloo Police Department and several other local law enforcement bodies.
Washington had previously been convicted of fifteen felony offenses prior to these events. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Nagin and Dan Chatham prosecuted the case. Following her sentencing, Washington remains in U.S. Marshal’s custody pending transfer to a federal prison.
