WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – A 23-year-old from Waterloo will spend 13 years in federal prison after distributing a fake Percocet pill that contained fentanyl to an individual. Evidence at the hearing showed that in July 2020 Tarron Lechtenberg regularly sold marijuana, THC wax, and purported Xanax and Percocet pills. However, officials say the pill contained fentanyl and not oxycodone. On July 29th, 2023, at approximately 12:00 am, Lectenberg gave half of one of the Percocet pills to a 19-year-old who used it at his house. Shortly afterward, the 19-year-old victim began overdosing in a friend’s vehicle, who then drove the 19-year-old back to Lectenberg’s home. Lectenberg and the group placed the victim in a chair in the backyard where he remained unconscious while having snoring respirations. By 4:45 am, Lechtenberg noticed that the 19-year-old “didn’t look good” and placed him in Lechtenberg’s vehicle to seek medical attention. Lechtenberg found a Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Deputy’s vehicle on the roadway and waved him down. Efforts by both the deputy and other first responders to revive the victim were unsuccessful. The victim’s death was determined to be from acute fentanyl intoxication. Lechtenberg was sentenced to 156 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to pay $8,182.45 in restitution to the victim’s family. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.
CLARKSVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – On Tuesday at approximately 12:50 p.m., emergency crews responded to the 30500 block of 150th St for a report of a house fire. Officials were on the scene for roughly 6 hours at the time of the call. They say there was one fatality. Officials have not released the victim’s identity at this time. The house is a total loss. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time. The State Medical Examiner’s Office is set to conduct an autopsy on the victim.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – At approximately 1:42 p.m. Wednesday, Cedar Rapids Police were trying to stop a motorcycle in the area of Ellis Blvd and O Ave NW when the motorcyclist crashed. Officials say the motorcyclist was injured during the incident. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the situation.
MARENGO, Iowa (KCRG) – Multiple people were taken to the hospital after a two-car accident in Iowa County. It happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday, at M Avenue and 190th Street, five miles south of Marengo. The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office said the driver of a Ford sedan was heading southbound on M Avenue when he turned east onto 190th Street into the path of an oncoming car. That car was heading northbound on M Avenue. Officials confirmed that the driver of the Ford suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to the hospital. The driver of the other car, and a passenger in that vehicle, were taken to a hospital in an ambulance for treatment of minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
