Iowa City man sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison for manufacturing meth

DAVENPORT - An Iowa City man was sentenced this week in federal court to nearly six years in prison for manufacturing methamphetamine on 'hundreds of occasions,” near bike trails, alleys and in vehicles.

U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger of the Southern District sentenced Nicholas Rotter, 33, to 70 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to manufacture meth. Rotter also was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison time and pay $100 to the Crime Victim's fund.

Rotter pleaded guilty to the charge in January. He admitted to using the 'one-pot” method in manufacturing the meth on 'hundreds of occasions in and around the Iowa City area.” Rotter made the meth on bike trails, near railroad tracks, in alleyways and in vehicles and carried the ingredients and supplies needed to cook the meth in a backpack.

Prosecutors said he had numerous people purchase pseudoephedrine pills, a key ingredient of meth, for him. In exchange, Rotter would provide them meth. He also sold the drug on more than 100 occasions to numerous individuals in the Iowa City area, authorities said.

During the time he sold meth, Rotter was observed brandishing a firearm, prosecutors pointed out.

The Johnson County Drug Task Force, Iowa City and North Liberty police departments and Division of Narcotics Enforcement conducted the investigation in this case.

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