BLUFF MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON

JACKSON, Mo. -- Troy E. Marlow of Poplar Bluff, Mo., found guilty of four separate charges last month from an attempted theft of anhydrous ammonia to make methamphetamine, has been sentenced to 20 in prison.

Circuit Judge William Syler imposed the sentence on Monday.

Syler denied the defense's request for acquittal on two of the charges, and denied a request for a new trial.

Syler sentenced Marlow to prison terms of six months in prison for attempting to steal anhydrous ammonia, at Whitewater, Mo.; six months on a charge of third-degee assault of a law enforcement officer; 10 years for resisting arrest; and 10 years for carrying a concealed weapon.

The charges came from a Nov. 15, 1999, incident when Marlow and two accomplices, Justin J. Constantino and Scott B. Guess, attempted to steal the anhydrous ammonia from a co-op in Whitewater.

They were interrupted in their attempt by Missouri State Trooper Aaron Harrison.

In an effort to escape, Marlow had driven a van at trooper Harrison, who was struck by the side of the van and its mirror.

Constantino and Guess pleaded guilty to attempting to steal the anhydrous ammonia. They received six-month jail sentences.

Because of previous felony convictions involving an assault in Stoddard County and three burglaries in Carter County, Marlow was sentenced as a prior and persistent offender, doubling the two felony sentences to 10 years each.

Defense attorney Daniel Moore, of Poplar Bluff, had filed motions seeking acquittal on the latter two charges, claiming the state had not presented enough evidence to show that Marlow had concealed a handgun. He will appeal the sentencing.