Cedar Rapids man faces a mandatory 10 years, possibly more for meth trafficking

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man who was found in possession of over 6 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than $460,000 in cash from drug trafficking pleaded Thursday to a lesser charge.

Terrell McBride, 33, of Cedar Rapids, charged with six counts possession and distribution of meth, pleaded to a lesser included charge of distribution of meth. According to a plea agreement, he admitted to distributing more than 1,500 grams of the drug throughout the Cedar Rapids area.

In October of 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement initiated an investigation of McBride, who they believed was involved in distributing meth, according to a complaint affidavit.

Between October and December, law enforcement made a series of controlled buys from McBride totaling more than 3 pounds of ice meth for $18,250. They obtained a federal search warrant for his home on C Avenue NE, the affidavit stated.

During the search, law enforcement found over 6,900 grams of meth and $460,726 in cash. McBride admitted that he used or intended to use all of the cash seized for the purpose of drug trafficking.

The bulk of meth, also called crystal meth, was in a utility closet in the home’s basement, according to the affidavit. Authorities said they also found more than $200,000 in cash in his toddler’s bedroom.

McBride faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a fine and at least five years of supervised release following his prison term.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Norwood and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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