SIOUX CITY — A former child actor and MTV personality who tore through Cerro Gordo County at 104 mph with marijuana and a loaded stolen handgun in his vehicle has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison.
Bobb’e J. Thompson, 30, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced Wednesday, September 16, to 30 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a felon.
Thompson (pictured at top) built a television and movie career that began when he was a child. His credits include MTV’s “Wild ’N Out,” “30 Rock,” “That’s So Raven” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.”
He also played foul-mouthed youngster Ronnie Shields alongside Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott in the 2008 comedy “Role Models.”
His trip through Northern Iowa took a much different turn on September 22, 2025.
Law enforcement spotted Thompson driving 104 mph in a 70-mph zone in Cerro Gordo County and initiated a traffic stop.
As the officer stepped out of the patrol vehicle, Thompson and his passenger were allegedly observed switching seats inside their vehicle.
The officer also detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
During a search, officers located a backpack belonging to Thompson that contained multiple bags of dispensary-purchased marijuana and a .40-caliber handgun.
Federal prosecutors said the handgun was fully loaded with a 15-round magazine and had another round ready in the chamber.
Investigators determined that the firearm had been reported stolen from a vehicle in Kansas City.
Thompson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony record. He pleaded guilty April 28 to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
His criminal history includes 2020 convictions for battery causing serious bodily injury and assault by force potentially resulting in great bodily injury. He was also convicted in 2022 of prohibited possession of a firearm.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand imposed the 30-month prison sentence during proceedings in Sioux City.
After completing his prison term, Thompson must serve three years of supervised release. Federal prisoners are not eligible for parole.
Thompson remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service while awaiting transportation to a federal prison.
The Iowa State Patrol, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons prosecuted it.