North Iowa Man to Federal Prison Over 20 Years for Drug Trafficking

A North Iowa man, arrested in a drug raid almost a year-and-a-half ago, will spend over two decades in federal prison.

In April 2025, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Clear Lake and Mason City Police Departments, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force Tactical Team searched the home of RT Harris Jr. in the 1400 block of North Adams in Mason City. Law enforcement say they discovered methamphetamine and a stolen firearm in Harris’ home.

That led to federal charges of conspiracy to distribute meth, distribution of meth, possession with intent to distribute meth, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a stolen firearm. Harris was accused of distributing meth between September 2024 and April 2025.

Harris eventually pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, for which he has been sentenced to 20 years and eight months in federal prison. He must also serve a term of five years of supervised release after prison.