Marion Rodeo Clown Convicted With Growing 1,000+ Marijuana Plants

A man who works as a rodeo clown has been found guilty of federal charges for growing 1,000 marijuana plants.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that Rory Meeks, 55, of Marion was convicted of growing the pot plants from 2004-2011, an offense for which he now faces a possible punishment of 20 years or more in prison.

Rodeo clown grew more than 1,000 marijuana plants over 6 years

According to a news release, evidence at trial showed that Meeks, who worked as a rodeo clown and bullfighter in local and national rodeos, conspired with others to grow marijuana in rural Jones County from 2004 through 2011.

Each spring, Meeks planted marijuana along corn and soybean fields in secluded spots throughout Jones County and then tended the plants throughout the summer, according to the release. Meeks and others harvested the plants in the fall, processed the plants at a house in Jones County and then sold the marijuana over the fall and winter.

Here is Meeks' profile on a bullfighter website:

Rory Meeks, 10 times Great Lakes Circuit Bullfighter, as a rodeo clown or bull fighter, his primary job is to protect the rider from the bull after he dismounts or is bucked off, by distracting the bull and providing alternative targets for the bull to chase. Rory says he played football in college and that getting run over by a bull isn’t much different than getting run over by a big linebacker.

Rory Meeks and Harry the World’s Strongest Chicken were featured on Fox News Around the World have made quite a name for themselves. Harry pulls his trainer and rodeo clown in a specially designed chicken chariot. “He lifts weights, eats a lot of corn, the starch that’s what gives him the big muscles,” says Meeks.

Here is a link to an online interview with Meeks.