KC Reporter

Bryce A. LaNear, a 27-year-old resident of Springfield, Missouri, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. This decision was handed down by United States District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes following LaNear's guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The court also ordered the forfeiture of $7,950 seized from LaNear as proceeds from his drug distribution activities.

According to his plea agreement, LaNear conspired with others between April 2017 and October 2019 to distribute cocaine and more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. He also possessed firearms in support of this conspiracy. On April 19, 2017, he was arrested with cocaine and methamphetamine intended for distribution and five firearms related to his drug activities. Additionally, LaNear sold cocaine to undercover police officers in Springfield during August, September, and December 2017.

Further investigations revealed more illegal substances and firearms at LaNear's residence when a search warrant was executed on April 11, 2018. In May 2018, additional quantities of methamphetamine and another firearm were seized from him by Springfield Police Officers. The investigation culminated on October 2, 2019, with the seizure of over five kilograms of methamphetamine from one of LaNear’s co-defendants. Overall, LaNear was found responsible for distributing over nine kilograms of methamphetamine and more than three kilograms of cocaine in the Springfield area.

The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant United States Attorney Cameron Beaver. It involved investigations conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield Police Department.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies.