Omaha Man Sentenced to 72 Months for Drug Deal & Gun Possession

Council Bluffs, Iowa – Rafael Rashad Adams, a 41-year-old Omaha resident, was meted out a 72-month sentence in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The grim revelation came on August 6, 2025, when Adams was discovered passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle near South Expressway and 30th Avenue, Council Bluffs. The car bore front-end damage and inside, police found around 31.5 grams of marijuana, scales, drug packaging material, and a loaded nine-millimeter pistol with a stolen, 15-round magazine.

Adams’ rap sheet is extensive, including previous convictions for drug possession and distribution, unlawful firearm possession, and driving under the influence.

A three-year term of supervised release awaits Adams upon his release from prison, as parole is non-existent in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the chilling announcement.

The investigation was a joint effort by the Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Adams’ conviction is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across neighborhoods. For more information on PSN, visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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