Two brothers from Marshalltown, Iowa, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a heroin distribution conspiracy. On October 3, 2025, Marcel Edmund Oden, 53, and Jerry Juan Oden, 56, received their sentences after being found responsible for distributing over 100 grams of heroin in the Marshalltown area over a period of at least three years.
Court records show that Marcel Oden had previous state convictions related to assault. Jerry Oden was on state parole during the offense for earlier convictions in 2018 involving delivery of heroin and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. He also had prior convictions from 2014 for possession of heroin with intent to deliver and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Marcel Oden was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. His sentence includes five years of supervised release after his imprisonment and a $20,000 fine. Jerry Oden received a twelve-year prison term followed by four years of supervised release. Federal law does not allow parole.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman for the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentences. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathon Holscher. The investigation involved the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force and the Marshalltown Police Department.
"There is no parole in the federal system," stated the press release.
