Six Ozark, Springfield, Lebanon residents indicted on meth conspiracy, weapons charges

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

Six southern Missouri residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine as well as illegally possessing firearms.

Robert Jason Smith, 47, Terry M. Schenks, 53, Randy L. Johns, 45, and Jill M. Matthews, 45, all of Ozark, Mo.; Michael R. Goodwin, 41, of Springfield; and Evelyn J. Dame, 48, of Lebanon, Mo., were charged in a 19-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on June 28, 2023. That indictment was unsealed and made public on Wednesday, July 5, upon the arrests and initial court appearances of the defendants.

The federal indictment alleges that all six defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Christian and Greene counties from Dec. 16, 2020, to June 2, 2022.

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, Goodwin is charged with two counts of possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, three counts of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Goodwin allegedly possessed a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol on June 30, 2021, a SARS Arms 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Sept. 2, 2021, and a North American Arms .22 magnum revolver on Dec. 13, 2021.

Schenks also is charged with one count of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine to distribute, one count of distributing methamphetamine, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. Schenks allegedly possessed a Spike’s Tactical .223-caliber/5.56mm semi-automatic rifle, a DPMS .223-caliber/5.56mm semi-automatic rifle, two Maverick 12-gauge shotguns, a SCCY 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and a Bersa .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on June 2, 2022.

Smith also is charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine, one count of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Dame is also charged in one count of possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Johns and Matthews also are charged together in one count of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.