Kennett man arrested in alleged drugs-for-gun deal

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Bootheel Drug Task Force, in conjunction with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, stopped a potential homicide Monday with a joint operation, landing a Kennett resident in jail.

During an ongoing investigation, agents with the task force said they received information that a suspect, Lee Armstrong, was attempting to purchase an assault rifle and pistol with crack cocaine for a homicide he was planning.

On Monday, officers with the task force, ATF, Kennett Police Department and the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office arranged for an undercover informant to meet with Armstrong and make the transaction, according to a task force official.

The informant gave Armstrong a 9 mm pistol for the drug and promised an assault rifle at a later date. The suspect was arrested after the transaction and taken to Dunklin County Jail, where he was awaiting a state warrant for his arrest for delivery of a controlled substance.

A search of Armstrong's residence revealed more crack cocaine.

Federal authorities are expected to file charges at a later date on weapons violations.