Pubdate: Sat, 02 Apr 2005 Source: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, The (IA) Copyright: 2005 The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier Contact: http://www.wcfcourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3510 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?217 (Drug-Free Zones) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) DRUG CONVICTIONS NET MAN LIFE TERM CEDAR RAPIDS --- A Waterloo man has been sentenced to life in prison for repeat drug offenses. U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade sentenced Robert Junior Smith, 44, after he pleaded guilty to distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground after having three prior felony drug convictions. The sentence was handed down Friday at the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids. There is no parole in the federal prison system. A special assessment fee of $100 was also imposed. He is currently awaiting to be transported to a federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Rose said Smith sold crack cocaine to an undercover informant Sept. 18, 2004. She said the sale took place near Spring View Park in Waterloo, and the transaction was recorded by authorities. At the time of the sale, Smith was awaiting trial for federal charges in connection with a large amount of crack found in his pants pocket during a January 2004 search of his home. The case was investigated by Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program with the help of the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin