Kenneth C. Fredenburg, Meth and Firearms Charges, Missouri 2019

Columbia Man Indicted for Meth and Firearms Charges After High-Speed Chase

A Columbia, Missouri, man has been hit with federal charges for his alleged role in a high-speed chase that ended in a crash. Kenneth C. Fredenburg, 33, is accused of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Fredenburg's troubles began on Sept. 25, 2019, when a Christian County, Missouri, sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Chrysler 300 driven by Fredenburg. However, the deputy says Fredenburg failed to stop, leading the deputy in a high-speed pursuit that reached 120 miles per hour until Fredenburg drove through a residential yard on Highway 65 in Ozark, Missouri, and crashed into a tree.

The deputy took a female passenger into custody and searched Fredenburg's vehicle, which yielded approximately 72.9 grams of methamphetamine, numerous baggies, and a set of digital scales inside a black bag. Additionally, the deputy found a Springfield Armory 9mm handgun on the floorboard behind the driver's seat, a Taurus 9mm handgun on the driver's side floorboard, and a tactical vest with multiple gun magazines on the back seat.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Fredenburg was located in Springfield, Missouri, on Oct. 22, 2019, and was placed under arrest. He is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Keller. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff's Department, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

According to federal law, the charges against Fredenburg carry significant penalties. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison and significant fines. The exact sentence will be determined by the court at a later date.

Fredenburg's case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of high-speed chases and the consequences of engaging in illicit activities. As a community, we must work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/columbia-man-indicted-meth-illegal-firearms-after-high-speed-chase-crash-ozark