25 accused in meth roundup

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Twenty-five people face federal drug and weapons charges after a methamphetamine roundup in eastern Missouri.

The U.S. Attorney's office in St. Louis announced the arrests on Tuesday. Most of the suspects are from the St. Louis area and Jefferson and St. Francois counties. One suspect is from Corinth, Texas.

Authorities say the suspects made and distributed large amounts of meth since October 2010. Several are members of the Saddle Tramps Motorcycle Club.

Two of the suspects are also facing state murder charges. Melvin Scherrer of Bonne Terre is accused of first-degree murder in the death of Cape Girardeau tattoo artist Sam Francis, whose body was found in a septic tank near Bonne Terre in July. Brent Bouren of St. Louis is charged with second-degree murder in the same case.