A Poplar Bluff man will spend the next two decades in prison after he was convicted of selling methamphetamine near a school.
Judge Michael Pritchett sentenced Alphonse D. Avila, 43, of Poplar Bluff to a total of 20 years in prison on Sept. 13, for distributing a controlled substance within 2,000 feet of a school and delivery of a controlled substance, according to Butler County Prosecutor Kacey Proctor.
Pritchett sentenced Avilla to 20 years on the Class A felony charge of distributing a controlled substance in a protected location and 15 years on the Class C felony of delivery of a controlled substance, which was the maximum sentence allowed for that count, Proctor said. Both sentences will be served concurrently.
Avila was convicted July 20 of the charges by a Butler County jury.
At Avila’s trial, Butler County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Matt Michel presented evidence that on Jan. 14, 2019, Avila sold methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer outside of a residence located within 2,000 feet of Poplar Bluff Middle School.
Avila again sold methamphetamine on Jan. 29, 2019, to the same undercover law enforcement officer at Avila’s residence on County Road 603 in Poplar Bluff. Video evidence also was presented at Avila’s trial showing the second sale took place with small children present, Proctor said.
Avila previously was found guilty of a felony offense relating to controlled substances and was subject to an enhanced range of punishment as a result.