Pennie M. Lee, 49, of High Ridge recently was sentenced to 10 years in jail for felony drug charges, according to court papers.
In December 2014, Lee was pulled over for a traffic violation at Hwy. 30 and Lower Byrnes Mill Road in Byrnes Mill, and an officer found methamphetamine, medication and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, the probable-cause statement said.
On June 21, 2015, Lee was living in a fifth-wheel trailer in the 3300 block of Rock Creek Road in High Ridge, and law enforcement officers got permission to search it and found meth along with a meth lab inside it. In addition, officers learned during their investigation that Lee had several times purchased pseudoephedrine, which often is used to make meth, the probable-cause statement said.
A few months later, on Oct. 11, 2015, Lee was living at a home in the 4100 block of Elizabeth Drive in House Springs and when deputies searched the home, they found meth, a meth lab and drug paraphernalia, the report said.
Lee pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance tied to the 2014 incident, to second-degree drug trafficking for the June 2015 incident and to first-degree drug trafficking for the October 2015 incident.
On June 16, Jefferson County Div. 3 Circuit Judge Nathan B. Stewart sentenced her to two 10-year prison terms, one each for the trafficking charges, and to a five-year sentence for the possession charge. All the terms are to be served concurrently, or at the same time. In addition, Lee may be released early if she successfully completes a 24-month treatment program, the report said.
Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Trisha C. Stefanski handled the case.
Two other defendants have been charged in connection with the October 2015 case. Sheila K. Miller, who was born in 1968 and lives in St. Louis, has been charged with first-degree drug trafficking, a class A felony punishable by 10 to 30 years or life in prison, and that case is pending. Jason C. Isbell, who was born in 1976 and resides in House Springs, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony that carries a penalty up to seven years in prison. A hearing in that case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 24, in front of Jefferson County Associate Circuit Court Judge Brenda Stacey.
Lee previously was convicted of felony DWI - aggravated offender and misdemeanor driving with a revoked license connected to a March 2010 incident in St. Louis County, as well as passing a bad check, another felony, tied to an August 2005 in Bollinger County.
She currently is in the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia.