DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a distribution quantity of methamphetamine.

According to public court documents, Richard James Murphy, 42, sold an ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential source in August 2023. Four days later, law enforcement executed a state search warrant at Murphy’s Davenport residence and found approximately one-half pound of meth, which Murphy intended to distribute, and ten rounds of ammunition. Murphy is a felon and was on probation at the time he committed this offense.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Murphy will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Bettendorf Police Department, Davenport Police Department, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.