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.