Ozark car dealers found guilty in meth distribution ring

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Two southwest Missouri car dealers have been convicted in a scheme to launder drug money for a man with a criminal past.

Jurors deliberated for nearly four hours before finding Philip Delgrosso, 64, and Jeffrey Cain, 40, guilty Friday of federal charges that included conspiracy to distribute meth.

Prosecutors said the men's Missouri Auto Group in Ozark was struggling in February 2013 when Jerry Wright, who was fresh out of federal prison on a 10-year sentence for selling drugs, approached them about becoming involved in a meth distribution ring.

Wright already has pleaded guilty along with several others involved in the drug ring.

During the trial, authorities described how Wright would pick out the cars he wanted and supply Cain and Delgrosso with cash.

Cain and Delgrosso would use the cash to procure cashier's checks, then use the checks to buy the cars at auction in the name of Missouri Auto Group.

In exchange for cleaning the ill-gotten money, Cain and Delgrosso got to leave some of Wright's high-end vehicles on their lot, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Wright spent more than $150,000 in bundled cash through Missouri Auto Group between February and June 2013.

Prosecutors argued Cain and Delgrosso were involved or "willfully blind" to the drug operation.

But Delgrosso's attorney, Joshua Roberts, said his client was "duped." Roberts described Cain and Delgrosso as "good ol' boys" trying to run an honest car dealership.

Prosecutors brought up past criminal activity, noting Delgrosso, a former police officer in New York and Florida, was found guilty in a Minnesota case 15 years ago in which he stole more than $40,000 from a business associate.

Cain has prior felony drug convictions in Missouri.

A third defendant, Cesar Avila-Hernandez, 28, also was on trial with Cain and Delgrosso. Jurors found him guilty of conspiracy to distribute meth and possession of meth with intent to distribute.

Authorities busted him near Springfield with 10 pounds of meth hidden in the engine compartment of a Mercedes-Benz.

His attorney argued the California man simply was driving the car and didn't know the drugs were inside.

Sentencing hasn't been determined.