Monday, November 28, 2016

Jarub Baird held without bond on federal meth distribution, money laundering charges

A federal judge today ordered a Carthage man to be held without bond while awaiting trial on methamphetamine distribution and money laundering charges.

Jarub Baird, 27, was arrested last week after the unsealing of a federal grand jury indictment in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in Kansas City against 15 people federal prosecutors allege participated in a multi-million dollar conspiracy to distribute $1,000 per ounce 90 percent pure meth.

The judge's decision to have Baird held without bond was issued following testimony from a DEA special agent.

The indictment indicates the meth operation took place between January 1, 2014, and November 17.

During his arraignment today, Baird pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Two other defendants, Aaron Randall Stull, 51, and Michelle Vanne Gray, 49, both of Springfield, also pleaded not guilty. Gray was released on her own recognizance, while Stull's bond was set at $10,000 unsecured surety, but the judge has to approve the cosignor and a bond hearing has to be held after arrangements have been made to set the conditions for Stull's release.

The arrest was not the first for Baird, who served prison time for involuntary manslaughter and
assault in connection with the December 8, 2006, accident in which Hannah Smallwood, 15, a Carthage High School student, was killed after Baird had been driving at a rate of speed estimated at 110 miles per hour.

Baird also pleaded guilty July 7, 2014, in Jasper County Circuit Court to driving while intoxicated.

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