Edward H. Adams, 56, of Dittmer, a prior offender, recently was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking, court records show.
In January 2015, a Jefferson County deputy pulled over Adams in the 8700 block of Local Hillsboro Road in Cedar Hill and found several items commonly used to make methamphetamine inside the pickup he was driving, including a spoon that had residue on it that tested positive for meth, the probable-cause statement said.
In addition, Adams, formerly of Eureka, already was wanted on outstanding warrants.
After that, law enforcement officers went to his home in the 8000 block of Rickus Lane in Dittmer, got permission to search it and found more items used to make meth there, including some items with residue on them. Authorities also found guns and ammunition in the home and since Adams was a convicted felon, he wasn’t supposed to have guns, the report said.
A computer check showed that Adams had purchased pseudoephedrine, which is used to make meth, 86 times, according to the report.
A month later, in February 2015, a detective went to Adams’ Dittmer home to assist other law enforcement officers, searched the property and again found numerous items used to make meth. Some of the items contained liquids or residue that tested positive for meth, the probable-cause statement said.
Adams pleaded guilty to one count of felony first-degree drug trafficking in connection with the January 2015 incident, and in the case stemming from the February 2015 incident, he entered an Alford plea, which means he didn’t admit guilt but felt there was sufficient evidence to be found guilty of the charge of felony first-degree drug trafficking.
On Feb. 27, Jefferson County Div. 5 Circuit Judge Victor Melenbrink sentenced him to two 20-year prison terms, one for each of the charges. However, the sentences are to be served concurrently, or at the same time.
Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Trisha C. Stefanski handled the cases.
Two other defendants – Todd L. Gibson, who was born in 1985 and is from Cedar Hill, and Joseph R. Sprock, 33, of Dittmer – also were charged with felony first-degree drug trafficking in connection with the February 2015 incident, court records show.
In October 2016, Gibson received five years’ probation.
The case against Sprock is pending, and a jury trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 1 in Melenbrink’s courtroom, court documents show.
Adams previously served time in prison for felony drug possession connected to an October 1996 incident in St. Louis County, as well as for felony first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and resisting arrest tied to a March 1997 incident in St. Louis, according to court records.
He currently is in the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre.