Sioux City man found guilty of kidnapping, possession of ammunition

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A felon was convicted by a jury on April 26 after a five-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

According to a press release, Bobby Rhoden, 49, of Sioux City was convicted of one count of kidnapping and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon and drug user.

Evidence at trial showed that Rhoden used threats to get his former girlfriend into his car to help him recover a phone she had taken. During the next 36 hours, the release said, he brutalized her and drove her to at least two locations to find his phone. The victim escaped Rhoden by running away from him to a neighbor’s house. As she ran, Rhoden fired his gun at or near her.

After a subsequent investigation of the kidnapping, live ammunition and a spent casing were found in the garage where Rhoden lived and one of the locations where he held his victim.

The press release also revealed Rhoden was previously convicted of two counts of forgery and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in Scott County, and conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.

Rhoden faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. Rhoden remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.

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