JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Jeremiah Joseph Foley, 41, of Columbia, Missouri, is headed to federal prison for 17 years after being convicted of orchestrating a methamphetamine distribution network across Boone and Callaway counties. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough, reflects the severity of Foley’s crimes, which included possessing firearms while trafficking drugs.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Foley operated the drug ring between September 22, 2020, and April 5, 2021, using two properties as stash houses for the methamphetamine he supplied to a network of dealers, including Bradley Wayne Hensley, 40, of Callaway County. Hensley, who pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy, admitted to purchasing between 36 and 48 ounces of meth from Foley over a six-month period and distributing it to his own customers.
The bust came after a February 1, 2021 raid on Hensley’s residence turned up nearly 60 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded Glock handgun, body armor, and $577 in cash. But the real haul came when officers apprehended Foley on April 5, 2021, finding him asleep at the wheel of a running truck with a Sig Sauer .40-caliber handgun resting on his lap. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside a thermos, along with 30 grams of cocaine, six pounds of marijuana, and two additional firearms.
Further investigation led to a search of Foley’s property, uncovering an additional 55 grams of methamphetamine, a machine gun, two firearm suppressors, more marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol wax, THC edibles, ammunition, trail cameras, and drug paraphernalia. The sheer volume of weapons and narcotics seized paint a clear picture of Foley’s deep involvement in criminal activity.
Hensley received a six-year federal prison sentence for his participation in the conspiracy. Both men were sentenced without the possibility of parole. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver prosecuted the case, a joint effort by the Columbia Police Department, Callaway County Sheriff’s Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against methamphetamine trafficking in Missouri and the federal agencies’ commitment to dismantling these criminal enterprises. Law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate any remaining co-conspirators and ensure that those responsible for flooding the streets with this dangerous drug are brought to justice.
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