Clinton man with eight convictions sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for firearms

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Clinton man who, armed with a firearm, assaulted and injured a Mount Vernon police officer during a traffic stop on Highway 30 in February was sentenced Thursday to more than 20 years in federal prison.

Erwin Keith 'Duffy” Bell, 36, pleaded guilty in June to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

During the plea hearing, Bell admitted he had a .22 magnum caliber revolver after eight prior felony convictions in Iowa and Illinois for drugs, firearms trafficking, extortion and burglary.

Evidence at the sentencing showed Bell was a passenger in a car traveling westbound on Highway 30 on Feb. 4 when a Mount Vernon police officer attempted to arrest Bell. Bell struck the officer and ran but, after a brief chase, Bell 'squared off” with the officer and resisted arrest.

Bell then grabbed the officer's duty baton and hit the officer, according to evidence. He also attempted to reach for the officer's waistband during the struggle.

After police officers subdued Bell, they found a loaded firearm on the ground.

Later, Bell also threatened to 'beat” the police officer, spat on another officer and was combative at a Cedar Rapids hospital.

U.S. District Senior Judge Linda Reade sentenced Bell to 248 months - more than 20 years - in federal prison. She also ordered him to pay $400 in restitution the city of Mount Vernon.

He also must serve five years of supervised release following any prison time.

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