Monett man sentenced to 10 years on meth charges

(From the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

A Monett man has pleaded guilty in McDonald County Circuit Court to possessing methamphetamine with an intent to distribute and was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

Richard Fouts, 64, was sentenced by Judge Gregory Stremel of the 40th Judicial Circuit on Wednesday, May 21, 2024, on one count of C Felony Possession with Intent to Distribute. 

On November 21, 2020, an officer with the Granby Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle missing a necessary vehicle light. During the course of the stop, the officer noticed the passenger, Fouts, of the vehicle making furtive movements. 

Upon a search of Fouts, the officer discovered nearly a quarter-pound of methamphetamine and more than $1,600 in cash. Fouts stated that the methamphetamine was solely his and that the driver of the vehicle was unaware of its presence. 

“Drug abuse remains one of the biggest challenges we face in our community. Putting those that prey on the addiction of others behind bars brings us one step closer to facing that challenge. I’m hopeful that this sentence will serve as reminder to those that peddle methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs that this activity will not be tolerated in Newton County,” stated William Lynch, Newton County Prosecuting Attorney. 

The case was originally charged as a Class A felony drug trafficking until a lab report revealed the amount of drugs was under the statutory amount required to support the charge. 

The 10 year sentence is the maximum sentence permitted by law for a possession with intent to distribute. The case was investigated by the Granby Police Department and prosecuted by William Lynch and Sarah Critez of the Newton County Prosecutor’s Office.