Murder suspect also accused in federal meth case

BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri man accused of killing a tattoo artist and hiding the remains in a septic tank also is facing federal drug trafficking charges.

The Daily Journal newspaper in Park Hills, Mo. (http://bit.ly/16uxaJR ) reports that Melvin John Scherrer of Bonne Terre was charged last month in federal court with conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine.

Scherrer is charged in state court with first-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Samuel "Tick" Francis of Cape Girardeau. The remains were found July 25 in a septic tank in a wooded area outside of Bonne Terre. Scherrer is jailed without bond.

Court records indicate Scherrer has been under federal drug investigation for more than two years, allegedly getting meth from Texas then supplying the drug to others for distribution in eastern Missouri.

A search warrant of his Bonne Terre home was executed on July 24. Authorities say they found meth and a semi-automatic handgun.

Scherrer, 49, has previous convictions for assault and possession of a controlled substance.

The discovery of Francis' remains ended a lengthy search for him. Francis had been missing since December.

Authorities believe Scherrer struck Francis with a baseball bat, taped his hands behind his back and wrapped his head with tape. Police say blood evidence found at Scherrer's home contained the DNA of Francis.

Francis' relatives have said they suspect involvement of a motorcycle gang. Gary Francis previously said his son had traveled to Cedar Lake in St. Francois County to do some tattoo work for a gang, and had expressed concern that gang members could harm him.

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Information from: Daily Journal, http://dailyjournalonline.com