Iowa Eight-Time Felon Charged with Gun Possession

CLINTON, Iowa – A notorious eight-time felon from Clinton, Iowa, Erwin Keith Bell, 36, has been slapped with federal charges for possession of a firearm, according to the Department of Justice’s USAO.

The Indictment filed in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids accuses Bell of knowingly carrying a .22 magnum revolver on February 4, 2017. The indictment lists his previous eight felony convictions in Iowa and Illinois, including drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, extortion, and burglary.

According to an affidavit, Mount Vernon Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on the evening of February 4, 2017, where they discovered Bell’s marijuana pipe between his legs. During the stop, Bell assaulted an officer, leading to a pursuit and further altercations. He was found with drug paraphernalia, baggies, a scale, marijuana, and cocaine.

Bell faces life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release if convicted. His next appearance is scheduled for May 9, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. in Cedar Rapids federal court.

The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek, with the case being investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and local police departments.

As always, Bell is presumed innocent until proven guilty. For more information on the case file numbers 17-mj-65 and 17-cr-27, visit https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.