Jury Convicts Rudd Man on Methamphetamine and Firearm Charges

A man who had 39 guns when he conspired to distribute methamphetamine was convicted by a jury January 21, 2011, after a three-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

David Neve, age 58, from Rudd, Iowa, was convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, possessing with intent to distribute, distributing methamphetamine, and two charges of possessing firearms in relation to the drug offenses. The verdict was returned January 21, 2011. The jury also forfeited all the firearms, ammunition, and over $100,000 in cash.

The evidence at trial showed Neve conspired to distribute methamphetamine, possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, distributed methamphetamine, and possessed 39 firearms in relation to the drug offenses. Neve had over 20 loaded firearms including two assault rifles and 4600 rounds of ammunition. The evidence showed Neve possessed over $100,000 in proceeds from his drug business. Neve also had two bullet proof vests in his home.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Neve remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On each of the drug charges, Neve faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and five years of supervised release up to life following any imprisonment. On the first gun charge, Neve faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years to be served consecutively to any sentence imposed on the drug charges and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of three years. On the second gun charge, Neve faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to be served consecutively to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Neve faces a mandatory minimum 40-years in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force including the Special Operations Group; Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office; Mason City Police Department; Clear Lake Police Department; Iowa State Patrol including the Tactical Team; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office; Floyd County Sheriff’s Office; Wright County Sheriff’s Office; Charles City Police Department; Nora Springs Police Department; Des Moines Police Department Bomb Squad K-9; Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations; Iowa State Fire Marshal; and Iowa National Guard.

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 10-2044-LRR.