A Council Bluffs resident, Richard Dean Putnam, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possessing a significant amount of methamphetamine. The sentencing took place today, as per the announcement by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa.

Court documents reveal that Putnam, aged 62, was found with over 85 grams of methamphetamine and 200 grams of marijuana at his residence in March 2024. In addition to drugs, authorities discovered nearly $10,000 in cash, two pellet guns, and two rounds of ammunition. His previous convictions for felony drug offenses and domestic abuse assault charges in the Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County legally barred him from owning firearms and ammunition.

Following his prison term, Putnam will undergo a five-year supervised release period. It is noted that there is no parole option within the federal system.

The investigation leading to this sentence was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department alongside the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force. This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.

Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses on fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting organizations that work to prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes. Further details about PSN can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.