Cleveland Stephens, also known as “Schmitty,” age 63, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The plea was entered in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.
According to a plea agreement, Stephens admitted that between August 2022 and June 2024, he conspired with another individual to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and at least 50 grams of pure methamphetamine within the region.
Sentencing will be scheduled after a presentence report is prepared. Stephens remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment without parole. In addition, he could receive a $250,000 fine and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Devra T. Hake and Dillan Edwards. The investigation involved the Drug Enforcement Administration, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and Benton County Sheriff’s Office. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which focuses on dismantling major criminal organizations through collaboration among multiple agencies led by prosecutors. More details about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
