A Marion man who works as rodeo clown and bullfighter now faces federal prison time for growing an illegal crop on the side. Fifty-five-year-old Rory Meeks was convicted of one count of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and acquitted of one count of manufacturing marijuana in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Evidence presented at his trial showed Meeks planted and tended marijuana in corn and soybean fields in secluded spots throughout Jones County. Meeks and others harvested and processed the plants in the fall at a house in Jones County, and then sold the marijuana during the fall and winter.
The jury found that Meeks was involved in growing over 1,000 marijuana plants between 2004 and 2011. Meeks faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum life sentence along with a fine.
A date has not yet been set for the sentencing.