THREE PEOPLE FROM SCOTLAND & CLARK COUNTIES SENTENCED ON FEDERAL METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGES

St. Louis, MO: The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that three people were  sentenced on methamphetamine conspiracy charges.

Michelle Brand, 28, Memphis, MO, was sentenced to 48 months in prison on one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine and one felony count of possession of pseudoephedrine for the manufacture of methamphetamine;

Christopher Johnston, 31, Wyaconda, MO, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine; and

Shane Krise, 25, Wyaconda, MO, was sentenced to was sentenced to 60 months in prison on one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine. Each defendant appeared before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson.   

Two co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing:

Christopher Armstrong, 24, Memphis, MO, pleaded guilty last December to one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and is scheduled for sentencing March 18, 2010.

Kenneth Thompson, 36, Kirksville, MO, also pleaded guilty in December to one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine.  His sentencing date has not been scheduled.

The offenses occurred beginning in late 2008 through February 2009, in Scotland County and Van Buren County, Iowa.

Conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine carries a penalty range of five to 40 years in prison and/or fines up to $2,000,000; possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum penalty of ten years to life in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; and possession of pseudoephedrine for the manufacture of methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by the Scotland and Clark County Sheriff’s Departments, the Scotland County Prosecuting Attorney, the Van Buren County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa Department of Public Safety – Division of Criminal Investigation, Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michael A. Bert, and Ray Meyer are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.