A Marion, Iowa man has been sentenced to more than ten years in federal prison for his role in distributing over 1.5 kilograms of ice methamphetamine. Robert Owen Bell, 48, received the sentence on August 13, 2025, following his guilty plea earlier this year to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents, Bell and another individual conspired throughout 2023 to distribute ice methamphetamine in Cedar Rapids and Marion. Law enforcement used a confidential source during their investigation, conducting two controlled purchases from Bell that totaled over 100 grams of the drug. On November 14, 2023, officers observed Bell traveling to and from his co-conspirator’s residence before stopping his vehicle. A search of the car led officers to seize approximately 65.64 grams of ice methamphetamine.
Bell was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams in Cedar Rapids. He received a prison term of 130 months and must also serve five years of supervised release after completing his sentence. Federal prisoners are not eligible for parole.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jared Manternach and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
“There is no parole in the federal system.”
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