Cedar County man sentenced to over 11 years for meth distribution

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar County man who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced Monday to nearly 12 years in federal prison.

Shane Robert McDowell, 44, of Clarence, pleaded in March in U.S. District Court to one count of distribution of a controlled substance.

Evidence showed between 2016 and 2022, McDowell obtained meth from several different suppliers and sold it to various customers. Law enforcement officers conducted controlled purchases of the drug from McDowell on three different occasions in February 2024.

McDowell distributed at least 1.5 kilograms of meth, according to information at sentencing.

U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced McDowell to 135 months in prison and ordered him to serve five years supervised release following his prison term.

The case was prosecuted by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Manternach and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dillan Edwards. The case was investigated by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, Tipton and Cedar Rapids police departments and Muscatine County Drug Task Force.

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