SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Springfield, Missouri, man on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a reduced federal drug charge in a case that involved Parsons residents and others transporting and distributing large amounts of methamphetamine.
In 2024, on two occasions, 19 people were swept up in Kansas and Missouri in the multi-state drug investigation. Crimes alleged include conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful transport of firearms, money laundering, racketeering and narcotics possession.
The 19 defendants are: Juston D. Crane, Osric R. Edwards, Necole Jennings, DaRon C. Kelly, Mark M. Logan, Stevie D. Logan Jr., William E. McKinzie, Shawn E. Morris, Willie Murry Jr., Dontrell A. Powell, Dreshawn Powell, Christuffer A. Roeder, James R. Sharp, Jon K. Smith, Kylei P. Sullivan, Rikkita C. Tolbert, William E. Troester Jr., Gary J. Watkins Jr. and Damion Williams. Parsons residents or former residents include Edwards, Kelly, Jennings, the Logans, Murry, Roeder, Sullivan, Morris, Tolbert and Williams.
Federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested the Powell brothers, Murry and Mark Logan on Jan. 17, 2024, during the controlled delivery of a Dodge Magnum to Dontrell Powell in Springfield. The vehicle had about 100 pounds of meth and pills containing fentanyl in a subwoofer speaker box in the cargo area of the Magnum. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer found the drugs in the Dodge after stopping the car hauler carrying it at a truck stop in Oklahoma City, according to an affidavit in the case. The driver of the car hauler, who was not involved in the drug shipment, agreed to deliver the Dodge to its destination in Springfield, Missouri. DEA agents conducted a controlled delivery later the same day. Dontrell and Dreshawn Powell arrived together and Dontrell Powell met with the driver of the car hauler. Murry and Logan arrived together soon afterward. Dontrell Powell attempted to start the Dodge Magnum, but it would not turn over. Murry and Logan helped jump-start the vehicle, which he then drove out of the parking lot as the other defendants followed in their vehicles. Agents followed the three vehicles to Dontrell Powell's residence, where they were arrested.
Agents searched Powell's residence and found an AM-15 pistol,.223 ammunition, several high-capacity magazines with ammunition, more than $100,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia. Agents also found a loaded Glock pistol in one of the vehicles, eight cell phones, two shards of crystal methamphetamine inside two large subwoofer boxes in the garage, four more large subwoofer boxes and drug paraphernalia.
In his plea, Deshawn Powell agreed to plead guilty to a lesser included charge in one count in the most recent superseding indictment. The main charge was aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl. Powell pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the attempted possession with intent to distribute any amount of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of meth and any mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Powell faces up to 20 years in federal prison but the U.S. Attorney’s Office agreed to recommend a reduction at sentencing for Powell’s cooperation and plea.
No sentencing date is scheduled for Dreshawn Powell.
