Johnson County man charged with selling fentanyl that led to man's death

IOWA CITY — A Johnson County man arrested on drug charges earlier this month now faces charges of selling fentanyl to a man, resulting in that man's death.

Jerome Smith, 35, was initially arrested on October 3 on drug charges.

An additional charge was added Tuesday against Smith in the Oct. 2 death of a 21-year-old man due to acute fentanyl intoxication. The man is not identified in court records.

Coralville police investigators determined through phone records and witness reports that Smith sold the man four fentanyl pills – a powerful opioid – for $60 on the day of his death, the complaint said.

The criminal complaints for the original charges against Smith list his residence in Coralville, but the complaints filed Tuesday list his residence in Solon.

The Oct. 3 indictment against Smith came after police officers arranged to meet him to buy drugs. After arriving at the agreed location, he ran away from officers and was caught right in front of his Coralville residence.

According to a criminal complaint, Smith was carrying a Ruger handgun with a loaded magazine, 3.5 ounces of cocaine and a large sum of money.

He was charged with a drug violation, interference with official acts and possession of a firearm by a felon.

On Oct. 18, he was charged with tampering with a witness after police said he repeatedly called and texted a witness in his case and threatened to harm the witness and his family members. He also asked other people to go to the witness' home.

Smith is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail on $185,000 bonds, $60,000 of which are cash only.

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