Joshua Kyle Cook, Methamphetamine Possession, Oklahoma 2020

Oklahoma City, OK – A Missouri man has been sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

Joshua Kyle Cook, 39, of Missouri, was stopped by an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBN) agent on August 27, 2020, while traveling on Interstate 40 in Canadian County. The agent found Cook to be in possession of approximately 3 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside his vehicle.

On September 16, 2020, a federal Grand Jury charged Cook with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Following his initial arrest, Cook was placed on pretrial release, but later absconded and has been a fugitive since March 10, 2021.

Recently uncovered information suggested that Cook was living in Theodosia, Missouri. On June 9, 2025, multiple law enforcement agencies located and surrounded Cook who was armed and barricaded inside a shed. An armed standoff ensued, lasting approximately two hours, during which time Cook threatened to shoot officers.

Cook pleaded guilty to the 2020 drug charge on September 2, 2025, and admitted he possessed methamphetamine which he intended to distribute. At the sentencing hearing on November 24, 2025, Cook was sentenced to serve 210 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

The Court considered the need for Cook’s sentence to provide just punishment, promote respect for the law, and afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct. By engaging in an armed standoff with officers, the Court noted that Cook had endangered his own life and the lives of law enforcement.

This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, OBN, the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office, and Howell County SWAT. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew E. Davis and Jason Harley prosecuted the case.

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