A Springfield, Mo., man has pleaded guilty to his role in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. David McKinnie, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to money laundering.
By pleading guilty, McKinnie admitted that he distributed as much as 45 kilograms of methamphetamine in Greene and Jasper counties from May 2016 to Feb. 20, 2018. This massive amount of methamphetamine would have had a devastating impact on the local community, fueling addiction and related crimes.
McKinnie also admitted to transmitting a $3,000 money gram to his supplier in Oklahoma, which involved the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. This money laundering charge adds another layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the financial aspects of the conspiracy.
According to McKinnie’s plea agreement, he purchased up to three pounds of methamphetamine from his supplier each week for three years, for which he paid approximately $6,000 to $9,000 per pound. This staggering amount of money – totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars – was funneled into the pockets of his supplier, perpetuating the cycle of addiction and violence.
Under federal statutes, McKinnie is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull II, and was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
The investigation and subsequent conviction of David McKinnie are a testament to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat the scourge of methamphetamine in Missouri. As the case moves forward, the community can take comfort in knowing that those responsible for perpetuating this destructive cycle are being held accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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