Suspect in Brick’s death sentenced for drug, weapon charges

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A Reynolds County man was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison Monday on drug- and weapon-related offenses.

Rickey B. Holt Jr. was sentenced via Zoom to 60 months on the felony of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He received 90 months on each of the felonies of possession of LSD with intent to distribute and felon in possession of firearms, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Sorrell.

He also faces ongoing charges of Class B felony voluntary manslaughter in connection with the June 9, 2018, death of Joe Girard during a Trucks Gone Wild event at Brick’s Off-Road Park.

The 41-year-old Oak Ridge man died after allegedly being severely beaten by Holt, who had accused Girard of physically striking his son.

With his federal drug and weapons case now disposed of, Holt is to appear Tuesday in Butler County before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for a review of his state case on the manslaughter charge.

Holt will serve concurrent sentences on the drug and weapons charges, according to an order issued by U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark.

Upon his release from prison, Sorrell said, Holt will be placed on a four-year period of supervised release.

Sorrell said he dismissed an additional felony of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug crime at sentencing.

With his earlier plea, Holt admitted on April 3, 2019, law enforcement officers served a search warrant on his Bunker home. Holt reportedly was inside his home at the time of the search.

Officers, according to the plea agreement signed by Holt, found and seized five vials of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), weighing approximately nine grams; $4,634 in cash; 875 grams of marijuana; 115 grams of psilocybin mushrooms; two pistols; one revolver; six rifles; five shotguns; one .223/20 gauge combination firearm and a quantity of ammunition.

“Holt gave an interview to police officers in which he admitted that the controlled substances were his and that the money found during the search was from his sales of controlled substances,” the plea agreement further says.

Holt admitted he intended to sell some of the marijuana, LSD and mushrooms to other persons.

With his plea, Holt further admitted he was in possession of the firearms at his residence and knew he was a convicted felon.

Holt was convicted of the felony of stealing in May 1997 in Reynolds County.

As part of his plea, Holt agreed to forfeit all the firearms, ammunition, controlled substances, other personal property and $4,634 in cash seized from his home.