A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine that was shipped from California to Springfield, Mo.
Michael E. Ford, 38, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 11 years in federal prison without parole.
On Feb. 9, 2017, Ford pleaded guilty to participating in the drug-trafficking conspiracy from June 1 through Sept. 11, 2015, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Co-defendant Lisa Renae Thompson, 39, of Springfield, also pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendants John R. Waits, 46, of Springfield, and Romulo Frank Delatorre, 36, of Downey, Calif., have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and await sentencing.
Delatorre shipped methamphetamine from California to Springfield in two- to two-and-a-half-pound increments to Thompson. Thompson picked up the packages at various hotels in the Springfield area then contacted Ford. Ford picked up the methamphetamine from Thompson and distributed it to others.
After a few days, Ford would then meet with Thompson and give her $10,800. Thompson kept $800 and sent $10,000 to Delatorre.
Thompson admitted that she received approximately 24 pounds of methamphetamine, which she gave to Ford. Thompson also kept some of the methamphetamine and sold it directly to others with the assistance of Waits. Waits sold methamphetamine to an undercover agent on several occasions in June and July 2015. He participated in the conspiracy for six weeks and is responsible for the distribution of 12 pounds of methamphetamine.
After Thompson was arrested on Sept. 11, 2015, Ford began receiving methamphetamine shipments from Delatorre. On Sept. 30, 2015, the Springfield Police Department received a phone call from a FedEx employee about a suspicious package. Police officers delivered the 2.2-pound package of methamphetamine to Ford at a Springfield residence, where he was arrested. Ford had a Ruger .22-caliber handgun in his possession.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
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