KC Reporter

A Tulsa, Oklahoma man, Jeffrey L. Hughley, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri. The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool. This comes after law enforcement officers seized approximately 29 pounds of methamphetamine, $57,000, and several firearms as part of the investigation.

According to court documents, Hughley admitted to being a courier during the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in various counties from November 1, 2020, to April 28, 2022. He delivered over 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine to his co-defendant, Brian E. Hall, at different locations.

One of the arresting officers stated, "Hughley was arrested on April 28, 2022, when he drove to Hall’s residence. Law enforcement officers searched his black Toyota Camry and found 22 pounds of pure methamphetamine in the trunk, along with a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the front passenger seat."

It was revealed that Hughley had made multiple trips to multiple states to distribute methamphetamine and had purchased a drone for $5,730 to smuggle contraband into a prison facility. Despite operating a business providing strength training to young athletes in his community, the devastating impact of methamphetamine use on youth and families was highlighted in the government’s sentencing memorandum.

The amount of methamphetamine trafficked by Hughley to Barry County alone was significant, with court documents stating that it was enough to supply four doses to every individual in the community. Hughley's case is part of a larger federal indictment involving 20 defendants, with Hall being the first to plead guilty and awaiting sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at the Department of Justice's website.