DRUG DEALER FACES PRISON; OTHERS SENTENCED

A Chaffee, Mo., man faces up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine, the U.S. Attorney's office reported.

Edward D. Hargrove, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, said Teresa Bright-Pearson, assistant U.S. attorney.

A search warrant was obtained for Hargrove's residence at 293 Penney St. on April 18. During the search, officers with the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force found several items used to manufacture methamphetamine throughout the house.

Lab analysis showed that what was discovered on April 18 contained about 150 grams of a mixture of methamphetamine.

Hargrove will be sentenced on Nov. 27.

Earlier this year, firefighters had responded to an explosion at Hargrove's residence. On March 6, a trash fire was responsible for several liquid propane tanks and aerosol cans exploding, tossing debris over 100 feet into the air.

In a separate case, two Charleston, Mo., men were sentenced to 10 and 17 years respectively for drug trafficking, the U.S. attorney's office said.

Brock E. Smith, 24, will serve 17 years for on four charges of cocaine distribution, while John J. Betts, 21, received 10 years for two felony counts, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn.

Both men were involved in a crack cocaine ring that distributed the narcotic throughout Southeast Missouri, Hahn said.

Smith had sold more than 150 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover officer with the Bootheel Drug Task Force, while Betts had sold about 48 grams.

Four other members of the drug ring have been indicted, and await sentencing.