Ottumwa man sentenced for role in overdose of Fairfield man

An Ottumwa man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the death of a Fairfield resident in 2020.

William Brown, 59, received the sentence Monday from the District Court of Jefferson County. He was charged with manslaughter for his role in the overdose death of Dustin Canaday of Fairfield on July 31, 2020.

According to a news release from the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, Canaday consumed methamphetamine from Brown on that date, in the form of a syringe loaded by Brown, which Brown described as “thick” and in the form of meth mixed with Alka-Seltzer and liquid. After consuming this solution, Canaday became violently ill and collapsed on the bathroom floor.

Emergency responders were called, but not soon enough to save Canaday’s life. Brown was charged with delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and manslaughter. He posted bond, but in December 2020, in a targeted law enforcement operation, was captured on video delivering methamphetamine to another individual. He was arrested and criminally charged with delivery of methamphetamine in that case as well.

During sentencing, video evidence of the death of Canaday was played for the court. The District Court of Jefferson County sentenced Brown to 10 years in prison on each of the controlled substance delivery charges, to run consecutive to a five-year term for the manslaughter, for a total of 15 years imprisonment.

“A cruel irony of this case is that current Iowa law treats the delivery of controlled substances to an individual, a Class C felony, more harshly than the drugs killing a man, a Class D felony,” said Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding. “This is a harsh legal reality to explain to the family he leaves behind but perhaps something the Legislature will consider reviewing in the future.”