Rock Island, Ill. - A Rock Island, Ill., man, Steven Waldrip, 47, made his initial appearance in federal court today to face charges returned by a federal grand jury this week charging him with one count of distributing heroin resulting in death and three counts of distributing heroin, as announced by Jim Lewis, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. Waldrip is scheduled for arraignment and detention hearings tomorrow before U.S. District Judge Sara L. Darrow at 9:00 a.m., in Rock Island.
The indictment alleges that on Dec. 15, 2013, Waldrip distributed heroin that resulted in death. In addition, the indictment alleges that Waldrip distributed quantities of heroin on three occasions: Apr. 28, May 1, and May 29, 2014.
In a separate, but related, case, Kyle Joseph Wilson, 24, address unknown, was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2014, and charged with one count of distribution of heroin resulting in death. Wilson was arrested on May 12, 2014, and was ordered to remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Trial for Wilson is scheduled on Sept. 9, 2014, in Rock Island, before U.S. District Judge Darrow.
The charges against both defendants are the result of investigation of the heroin overdose death of a Bettendorf, Iowa woman, who was found dead at her residence on Dec. 16, 2013. Investigative agencies include the Bettendorf Police Department, Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Allegro.
If convicted, the statutory penalty for distribution of heroin resulting in death is a minimum 20 years in prison to life; if a defendant has a prior felony drug conviction, the statutory penalty is life in prison. For each count of distribution of heroin, the statutory penalty is up to 30 years in prison.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
