Tuesday, August 04, 2009 at 4:51 p.m.
Read more: Local, Meth, Firearm, Federal, Jury, Us Attorney
ST. LOUIS, MO. -- Five Scotland County people have been indicted on methamphetamine trafficking and weapons charges, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap, Scotland County Sheriff Wayne Winn and Scotland County Prosecuting Attorney Kim Nicoli announced today.The indictments were returned Thursday, July 23, and the defendants are expected to appear in federal court on August 5, 2009. The indictment alleges that the offenses occurred in February 2009, in Scotland County.
Indicted:
Christopher Armstrong, 24, Memphis, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine, two felony counts of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and two felony counts of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Kenneth Thompson, 36, Kirksville, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Michelle Brand, 27, Memphis, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury 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 indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine and one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm;
Shane Krise, 24, Wyaconda, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine.
In convicted, 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; felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum penalty of ten years 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.
Reap commended the work on the case 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 Assistant United States Attorneys Michael A. Bert, and Ray Meyer who are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
