Irondale mayor reaches plea deal

POTOSI, Mo. (AP) -- The mayor of the eastern Missouri town of Irondale reaches a plea agreement with prosecutors in the drug case against her.

Jennifer Hamelback was charged in 2006 with drug distribution and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. But Washington County prosecutors say the 31-year-old former mayor has agreed to plead guilty to felony drug possession, and was given a suspended five-year prison term and placed on probation.

The case had been scheduled to go to trial on Monday.

Police allegedly uncovered evidence at a home shared by Hamelback and Jeffrey Thurman suggesting both possessed methamphetamine and precursors. Thurman is still facing trial.

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Information from: KSDK-TV, http://www.ksdk.com