CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Scott County man will serve nearly 20 years in a federal prison on drug charges.
Harry J. Imhoff, 39, was sentenced to 235 months in prison on one felony count of attempt to manufacture methamphetamine, one felony count of unlawful possession of pseudoephedrine and one felony count of manufacturing methamphetamine Monday in U.S. District Court. Upon release from prison, Imhoff will be placed on supervised release for a period of six years.
Imhoff previously admitted that on June 18, 2004, a search of his residence by Scott County sheriff's deputies revealed an active clandestine laboratory which contained a mixture which later tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine pills that were being broken down to be used in the production of methamphetamine. Various other chemicals utilized in the manufacture of methamphetamine and lab equipment were also recovered.
One week later on June 25, 2004, a second search revealed components of a second methamphetamine lab and a small amount of finished methamphetamine. Imhoff admitted to deputies that he had been involved in manufacturing methamphetamine.
Ezell Vaughn, 45, of Caruthersville, entered a guilty plea to one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm in United States District Court Monday.
On Jan. 28, 2004, an agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was working with a confidential informant in Hayti. After the informant reported that Vaughn had offered to sell him a handgun, he was fitted with an audio recording device and sent to make contact with Vaughn. The informant met with Vaughn, who directed that they go to another person's house to pick up the firearm. Vaughn went into the house and returned with a .44 caliber revolver. Vaughn sold the revolver to the informant for $240.
Vaughn had previously been convicted on May 24, 1977, for the felonies of burglary and stealing and on Jan. 17, 1980, for the felonies of robbery. He now faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Feb. 27.