Lonnie C. Hamilton, Methamphetamine Distribution, Missouri 2023

A Poplar Bluff man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after attempting to sell methamphetamine shortly after his release from prison.

Lonnie C. Hamilton, 40, pleaded guilty in December to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on May 16, 2023, a Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force officer was approached by someone who said Hamilton tried to sell him an ounce of meth on the street.

The officer found Hamilton, who removed a baggie containing meth from his pocket, admitted that the substance was methamphetamine and further admitted that he had recently been released from prison.

Hamilton said an acquaintance gave him two ounces of methamphetamine to sell so that he could make some money, adding that he’d used some and intended to sell some. Hamilton was caught with about 48 grams, or roughly 1.7 ounces, of meth.

Because he has at least two prior felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a drug offense, Hamilton qualified as a “career offender.”

The Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hunter prosecuted the case.

U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. handed down the 12-year sentence on Tuesday.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/poplar-bluff-man-sentenced-12-years-prison-attempting-sell-methamphetamine