Timothy T. Duax U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
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, was sentenced on July 7, 2025, following a guilty plea earlier this year.
Colquhoun admitted to conspiring to distribute controlled substances after a previous conviction for a serious drug felony. He also pleaded guilty to carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm in furtherance of such activity.
Court evidence revealed that from January 2024 to February 13, 2024, Colquhoun conspired with others to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Cedar Rapids. On February 13, officers stopped and searched his vehicle, discovering over 500 grams of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, more than $25,000 in cash, and a firearm. A subsequent search of his hotel room uncovered additional drugs and another firearm.
In 2014, Colquhoun had been convicted for similar offenses in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.
The sentence was handed down by Chief Judge C.J. Williams in Cedar Rapids. Colquhoun received a term of 336 months' imprisonment followed by ten years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow parole.
Currently held in United States Marshal’s custody, Colquhoun awaits transfer to a federal prison.
Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson prosecuted the case. It was investigated by multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration and local police departments.
