Neosho woman pleads guilty to meth trafficking, weapons charges

A Neosho woman withdrew her not guilty plea and pleaded guilty this morning in U. S. District Court in Springfield to methamphetamine trafficking and weapons charges.

As part of a plea agreement, a meth possession charge against Cherie Copeland, 42, was dismissed.

A federal grand jury indicted Copeland in December. The case against her was outlined in a detention motion filed by the U. S. Attorney's office:

On January 31, 2018, the defendant possessed approximately 216.36 grams of methamphetamine and a 9mm firearm, which the defendant admitted belonged to her. 

On June 25, 2019, the defendant possessed approximately 270 grams of methamphetamine.

On October 23, 2019, the defendant possessed approximately 140 grams of methamphetamine.

During their investigation, officers learned that the defendant was in frequent contact with members of the Aryan Brotherhood (AB) Prison Gang within the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Officers further learned that these inmates were the defendant’s connection for the distribution of methamphetamine.

No date has been set for the sentencing.