William S. Divine, Meth Trafficking, Missouri 2019

Anderson Man Indicted for Meth Trafficking

A shocking indictment has been handed down in the case of William S. Divine, a 42-year-old man from Anderson, Missouri, who stands accused of possessing more than a kilogram of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

According to the indictment, Divine was in possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on June 5, 2019. The federal indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed on June 6, 2019.

Anderson police officers had initially attempted to stop a woman with outstanding state warrants who was leaving the Econo Lodge at 491 E. Highway 76 on June 5, 2019. The woman attempted to flee from the officers and struck a law enforcement vehicle. Her vehicle was disabled and she fled on foot with officers in pursuit. The woman eluded officers, who saw her drop a clear plastic bag that contained approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine.

Surveillance video from the Econo Lodge showed the woman entering a room rented by Divine. Officers searched the room and found a backpack that contained eight individually wrapped bags with a total of 1,360 grams of methamphetamine. The backpack also contained a loaded Taurus .45-caliber handgun, as well as documents with Divine’s name on them.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black. It was investigated by the Anderson, Missouri, Police Department; the McDonald County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department; the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team; and the FBI.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/Respondent: William S. Divine, 42, of Anderson, Missouri; Exact Criminal Charges: Possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute; City and State: Springfield, Missouri; Exact Date: June 5, 2019; Sentence or Outcome: Currently indicted, awaiting trial; Dollar Amounts: None.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/anderson-man-indicted-meth-trafficking