Richard G. Wacker, Meth Conspiracy, Missouri 2020

In a shocking turn of events, a Springfield, Missouri, man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. Richard G. Wacker, 61, was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Missouri, from March 30 to Aug. 30, 2017.

On Jan. 10, 2020, Wacker pleaded guilty to his involvement in the conspiracy. He admitted to traveling to Kansas City on several occasions to purchase a half-pound of methamphetamine. After making two trips with co-defendant Ronald A. Stone, 53, of Springfield, Wacker directed Stone to make the trips alone every two to three days, with Stone purchasing two pounds on each trip – one pound for himself and one pound for Wacker.

Wacker also admitted to driving to Oklahoma City on at least three occasions, each time to purchase five kilograms of methamphetamine for $45,000. Springfield police officers executed search warrants at Stone’s residence twice in 2017, seizing firearms and methamphetamine on each occasion. On Aug. 29, 2017, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers stopped Stone’s vehicle and seized three large bags containing a total of approximately 6.8 pounds of methamphetamine.

This case marks the third and final defendant to be sentenced in this case. Stone was sentenced on Sept. 25, 2020, to 20 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, to possessing methamphetamine to distribute, and to possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Carol A. Hardy, also known as Carol A. Johnson, 51, of Mountain Grove, Mo., also pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced on Dec. 14, 2018, to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hardy’s residence and found 1.766 kilograms of methamphetamine in a safe on the floor of a bedroom closet. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nhan D. Nguyen and Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

As the people of Springfield, Missouri, breathe a sigh of relief, they can rest assured that justice has been served. Richard G. Wacker’s 20-year sentence serves as a stark reminder of the harsh consequences of engaging in illicit activities such as methamphetamine trafficking.

The people of Missouri are safer today due to the tireless efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors in bringing this case to justice. As we move forward, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to combat the scourge of methamphetamine and other illicit substances.

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