PB woman sentenced to federal prison for drug distribution

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A Poplar Bluff woman was sentenced to more than a year in federal prison for distributing illegal narcotics, including heroin and Fentanyl.

Shanesha R. Burns was sentenced Monday to 18 months on three felonies of distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of a controlled substance and distribution of heroin by U.S. District Judge John A. Ross, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Sorrell.

Upon her release from prison, Sorrell said, Burns will be placed on a three-year period of supervised release.

With her September plea, Burns admitted on July 17, 2018, law enforcement officers used a confidential informant (CI) to attempt to purchase controlled substances from her.

“On that date, the CI contacted Burns on Burns’ cellphone and requested the purchase of 7 grams of methamphetamine,” according to the plea agreement signed by Burns. “Burns agreed to the sale for $175 and agreed to meet the CI at a location in Butler County.”

At the appointed time and place, Burns reportedly drove to the location and met with the CI.

“Burns then provided a crystalline substance to the CI in exchange for $175 in cash,” the plea agreement further says. “The CI then turned the substance over to the officers.”

When the crystalline substance was tested at a Missouri State Highway Patrol crime laboratory, it was found to weigh 6.88 grams and contain methamphetamine.

On Jan. 3, 2019, a CI contacted Burns by text message to arrange the purchase of 1 gram of heroin for $100.

“Burns agreed to make the sale,” her plea agreement says. “Instead of coming herself, Burns sent her associate, Tara Slavings, to make the sale.”

Slavings, according to Burns’ plea agreement, drove to a location in Butler County for the sale.

“Slavings met with the CI and gave the CI a crystalline substance in exchange for $100,” Burns’ plea agreement said.

Slavings then reportedly left, and the CI turned the substance over to officers.

When tested at a highway patrol crime lab, the substance was found to be .22 grams of Fentanyl.

On Jan. 25, 2019, the same CI again contacted Burns, requesting to purchase a gram of heroin.

“Burns agreed to make the sale for $140 and specified a location in Butler County” for the sale, her plea agreement says.

After arriving by vehicle, Burns reportedly met the CI and provided a crystalline substance to the CI in exchange for $140.

That crystalline substance was turned over to officers and later tested. It was found to be .47 grams containing heroin.

“At each sale of a controlled substance, Shanesha R. Burns knew that the substance involved in each of the three sales … was a controlled substance,” the plea agreement said.

Slavings also was indicted and pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance. She was sentenced to six months in federal prison.

Upon her release, Slavings was to be placed on three-year period of supervised released and reside for four months in a halfway house.