Poplar Bluff man gets 12 years for attempted meth sale

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A Poplar Bluff man was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in federal prison after attempting to sell methamphetamine shortly after his release from prison.

U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. handed down the sentence to Lonnie C. Hamilton, 40, who pleaded guilty in December to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on May 16, 2023, a Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force officer was informed that Hamilton had tried to sell an ounce of methamphetamine. The officer located Hamilton, who then removed a bag containing methamphetamine from his pocket.

Hamilton reportedly admitted the substance was methamphetamine and that he had recently been released from prison. He told investigators an acquaintance gave him two ounces of methamphetamine to sell for profit, and that he had used a portion of it. Hamilton was found in possession of approximately 48 grams, or 1.7 ounces, of methamphetamine.

Hamilton qualified as a career offender due to having at least two prior felony convictions for either a crime of violence or a drug offense.

The Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hunter prosecuted the case.