Arizona Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Meth in Floyd County

A New Year’s Eve traffic stop for speeding in Floyd County is sending an Arizona man to federal prison for at least a decade.

43-year-old John Qualls of Tucson, Arizona, received the prison term after  pleading guilty in September 2023 to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of meth.

In a plea agreement, Qualls admitted that, on December 31, 2022, Floyd County Sheriff’s deputies stopped him for speeding at 33 mph over the speed limit.  Qualls handed the deputies a pouch that contained his license, insurance, and registration.  There was marijuana residue inside the pouch, and both the pouch and documents smelled of marijuana.  

Qualls admitted that he had used marijuana earlier that day.  Deputies searched the car and found 1,200 grams of meth. 

Qualls was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids to 121 months’ imprisonment and serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  

Qualls is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.