Davenport man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking in meth

A Davenport man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking in meth during a hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court, Davenport.

Richard James Murphy, 42, was arrested Aug. 21, 2023, by members of the Scott County Special Operations Unit after agents served a search warrant at his Blue Grass home.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Bettendorf Police Officer Wyatt Flickinger, officers seized 243.8 grams, or slightly more than half a pound, of meth located in the kitchen cabinets. Also seized were at least 10 rounds of .40-caliber Hornady ammunition. As a convicted felon, Murphy is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.

State charges against Murphy were dismissed after a federal grand jury filed a two-count indictment Feb. 6, 2024, charging him with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, namely 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The grand jury also charged him with being a felon in possession of ammunition.

On June 24, 2024, during a hearing in in U.S. District Court, Davenport, Murphy pleaded guilty to the drug trafficking charge.

During the sentencing hearing Thursday, Chief U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose imposed the 15-year prison sentence. Rose also ordered that Murphy spend five years on supervised release after he completes his term in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

Murphy will receive credit for the time he has been held in both state and federal custody awaiting trial and sentencing.

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