DES MOINES — An Iowa man who admitted neglecting 11 emaciated dogs and puppies found trapped inside a filthy pickup truck earlier this year is back behind bars, now accused of felony drug possession and driving while barred.
Brian Allen Bever, 41, of Des Moines, was arrested following an incident on July 15, 2026. He is charged in Polk County case FECR404988 with possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, a Class D felony, and driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Bever remained listed as an inmate at the Polk County Jail as of July 26. His bond was set at $7,000 cash or surety. Prosecutors filed formal trial information against him on July 24.
The new charges came barely three months after Bever pleaded guilty to three counts of animal neglect with injury in a stomach-turning case involving two adult dogs and nine puppies.
Clive police were called to the 1200 block of Forest Court on March 13 after someone reported that a black Chevrolet pickup had been parked there since approximately 11:30 p.m. the previous night. Multiple dogs were reportedly inside without food or water.
Officers found two dogs and nine puppies living amid feces and urine throughout the truck’s cab. Every animal was emaciated, according to police.
Officers and Polk County Animal Control workers removed the animals and rushed them to Furry Friends Animal Refuge for evaluation and treatment.
Veterinary personnel rated the animals a 2 on a body-condition scale ranging from 0 to 9, confirming they were severely underweight, malnourished and had not received proper care.
“Pet ownership has a certain responsibility associated with it, and in this instance, the owner did not live up to those responsibilities,” Clive Police Chief Mark Rehberg said following the rescue. “Removing animals from an owner is an extreme step, but it needed to be done in this case.”
Bever was originally charged with 11 counts—one for each animal found inside the truck.
Court records show Bever quickly reached a negotiated plea agreement. On April 6, he pleaded guilty to three serious-misdemeanor counts of animal neglect with injury. The remaining eight counts were dismissed by the court.
Bever received a 365-day jail sentence on each of the three counts, but nearly all of that time was suspended. On the first count, 335 days were suspended, leaving 30 days, with credit for time already served. The jail sentences imposed on the other two counts were fully suspended.
He was placed on probation for 12 months, ordered to participate in mental-health programming and directed to complete community service. The court also prohibited him from possessing animals.
Bever was assessed $1,836.10 in fines, surcharges and court costs. As of the latest court ledger supplied for the case, he had paid nothing, leaving the entire $1,836.10 balance outstanding.
The new felony charge was allegedly committed while Bever was still serving the probation imposed in the animal-neglect case.
A third-or-subsequent controlled-substance possession conviction is punishable in Iowa by up to five years in prison. Driving while barred is punishable by up to two years in jail.
The specific controlled substance Bever is accused of possessing was not identified in the publicly available case summary.
The July charges remain allegations. Bever is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
(PHOTOS released by police.)