Region/state briefs 06/26/03

Pharmacist convicted in drugs-for-sex case

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis-area pharmacist was convicted Wednesday of giving prescription drugs to a woman in exchange for sex.

A federal court jury found Aaron Roberts, 31, of St. Louis County guilty of illegally distributing a controlled substance, the anti-anxiety medicine Xanax.

U.S. District Judge Jean Hamilton set sentencing for Sept. 12 for Roberts, who faces a maximum of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

According to testimony at trial, the former Walgreens pharmacist met 20-year-old Nicole Bailey through a telephone dating service, Lavalife Dating Service. On several occasions, the two agreed to have sex at his home in exchange for Xanax pills.

The two arranged to meet Nov. 24, along with Bailey's girlfriend, at Roberts' home. A witness at trial described an evening of drinks, pills and sex. Early the next morning, the women left Roberts' house, and had an automobile accident.

Five held after police find marijuana inside tires

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- Five men were being held Wednesday after a police raid uncovered more than 80 pounds of marijuana hidden in truck tires.

St. Charles County Regional Task Force members said they've seen drugs hidden in a lot of places, but this location was a new one to them.

They found the drugs in a raid last week, hidden in a compartment that fits between the wheel rim and the tire.

"Dealers have been using spare tires for years, but this is the first time I've seen anything like this," Lt. Mike Grawitch said. "It's anybody's guess how many times they've gotten away with it. Your average Joe isn't going to catch them."

An informer told police the marijuana was being picked up in Texas and transported in the wheels to the St. Louis area for distribution.

Mizzou saves money by consolidating positions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The University of Missouri-Columbia said Wednesday that it was saving $685,000 in salaries by consolidating positions at the university.

The savings comes from reorganizations in the administrative services and provost divisions.

As part of the changes, the university said that Jackie Jones will serve as vice chancellor of administrative services and Michael Prewitt will become associate vice provost and director of the Student Success Center.

"We are doing everything possible to reduce expenses in every part of the university," said Chancellor Richard Wallace. "This is just one example of how we have been able to accomplish this."

In May, school officials announced that in-state University of Missouri undergraduates will pay 19.8 percent more in tuition next school year because of cuts in state education funding.

Woman shot to death in apparent dispute

LEBANON, Mo. -- A woman was shot to death in an apparent domestic dispute, police said, and her son-in-law was arrested.

Joyce Marie Massey, 54, was shot once in the chest Tuesday night at her home. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police chief Sam Mustard said.

The suspect's name was withheld pending the filing of charges.

Mustard said the suspect and Massey's daughter had recently separated. Massey's daughter and the estranged couple's son had been staying at Massey's home.

The suspect went to the house about 10 p.m. in an attempt to get his son, Mustard said, and an argument ensued when the family refused to give him the child.

When the suspect pulled a gun on Massey's husband, Mustard said, Massey struggled with the suspect, and one shot was fired through the ceiling.

"They struggled and fell on a couch," Mustard said. "She told him it wasn't worth anybody getting shot. At that point the gun discharged, striking her in the chest."-- From wire reports