Nine Charged in Jasper County Meth Conspiracy

Nine southwest Missouri residents face federal charges in a sprawling methamphetamine conspiracy that poisoned Jasper County with hundreds of grams of the highly addictive drug. A 16-count indictment, unsealed in Springfield, Mo., exposes a network accused of flooding communities with meth while arming themselves and using cell phones to coordinate deals.

The indictment names Donald B. Loomis, 34, Katherine A. Stein, 26, Torrey L. Nigro, 25, Brice J. Bresee, 36, and Kelly C. Walker, 25, all of Joplin, Mo.; Alisha D. Courtney, 46, and Terrance E. Romero, 41, both of Webb City, Mo.; Adrian K. Gire, 30, of Lamar, Mo.; and Lisa M. Allison, 38, of Neosho, Mo. The charges stem from a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in Jasper County between March 1, 2015, and Sept. 24, 2016.

Stein, Nigro, Bresee, and Gire are also charged with a second conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of meth between May 10 and May 12, 2016. In addition, they face individual charges for distributing 50 grams or more of meth and for using cell phones to facilitate the drug-trafficking operation—a digital paper trail investigators say sealed their fate.

Romero faces two explosive counts beyond the conspiracy: possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities allege he was armed with an F.I.E. Corp. Titan .25-caliber handgun on June 1, 2016. Courtney is charged with four separate counts of meth distribution, while Walker faces one count of distribution and one count of possession with intent to distribute.

Stein and Allison—though not charged in the overarching conspiracies—are jointly accused in one count of distributing meth and one count of using a cell phone to facilitate a drug-trafficking crime. The indictment, returned under seal on Nov. 2, 2016, became public only after arrests and initial court appearances were completed.

U.S. Attorney Tammy Dickinson emphasized that the charges are accusations, not proof of guilt. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull, II, is prosecuting the case. The investigation was a joint blitz by the DEA, ATF, FBI, Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, Joplin and Webb City police departments, Newton and Jasper County sheriff’s offices, and both counties’ prosecuting attorneys—showing just how deep the rot had spread.