Rudd man accused of storing pound of meth in Mason City storage unit now faces federal charges

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Rudd man who is accused of storing more than a pound of methamphetamine in a Mason City storage locker is now facing federal charges.

59-year-old Mark Hobbs was charged after the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant last month at two storage lockers at 630 6th Southwest in Mason City, where they allegedly found more than a pound of meth with a street value of more than $20,000 as well as a large sum of money.

Hobbs had pleaded not guilty to local charges as part of the case last week and was scheduled to go on trial on November 5th, but those charges will be dropped after an indictment was filed in US District Court in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, charging Hobbs with possession with the intent to distribute meth.

Hobbs earlier this month pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree theft after being accused of stealing two framed family photos of Ritchie Valens and a framed movie poster from the Valens family during the Winter Dance Party this past February. Hobbs was sentenced to 30 days in jail last week.