Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Two men from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, have pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiring to distribute controlled substances. Isaiah Pirtle, also known as "Pudge," 33, and Daxxton Cook, 36, both admitted to involvement in drug distribution activities.
Daxxton Cook, whose plea was entered on April 10, 2025, acknowledged cooperating with others to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. According to a plea agreement, Cook sold fentanyl pills and both cocaine and fentanyl in Cedar Rapids on three separate occasions in 2024. Cook has a prior conviction for a felony drug offense.
Isaiah Pirtle, convicted of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, admitted to planning with others to distribute significant amounts of fentanyl and cocaine.
This legal action is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and increasing safety through collaborative law enforcement and community efforts. "On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN" with these core principles, including "fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities" and "supporting community-based organizations."
The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake. The case is part of the Northern Iowa Heroin Initiative and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The investigation involved several agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and local and state law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF focuses on dismantling high-level criminal organizations with a collaborative approach.
Sentencing for both men will be determined by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams, following the preparation of a presentence report. Both individuals remain in custody. Pirtle could face a sentence ranging from a minimum of five years to a maximum of 40 years in prison, along with fines and supervised release. Cook faces a maximum sentence of 30 years, similar fines, and supervised release.
