JOPLIN, Mo. —
A Joplin man was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Springfield for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, resulting in the death of a 26-year-old Joplin man.
Lavar D. Beard, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr to 25 years in federal prison without parole, according to David M. Ketchmark, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
On July 2, Beard pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Jasper County from June 2011 to September 2011. Beard also pleaded guilty to distributing heroin to Ryan Cockrell, of Joplin, on Aug. 19, 2011; Cockrell died as a result of using the heroin, according to authorities.
Beard obtained heroin from sources outside of Joplin, including St. Louis and Springfield, and transported the drug to Joplin and the surrounding area for distribution to others. The amount of heroin distributed during the conspiracy was between 100 and 400 grams.
Beard also admitted that a Ruger .357-caliber revolver, a Raven Arms .25-caliber pistol and ammunition that he possessed were stolen property.
Two co-defendants, also from Joplin, have been sentenced after pleading guilty to their roles in the heroin trafficking conspiracy. Brian D. Ferguson, 26, was sentenced on Oct. 18 to 30 months in federal prison without parole. Ashley Henson, 25, was sentenced on Oct. 18 to one year and one day in federal prison.
Two other co-defendants, also from Joplin, have pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and await sentencing. Haley J. Ferguson, 27, is scheduled to be sentenced today. Jason E. Hirshey, 32, is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.
Local News
Joplin man sentenced to 25 years in heroin case
- Local News
-
-
Farmers Insurance teams up with Rebuild Joplin
Farmers Insurance announced Tuesday that the company will team up with Rebuild Joplin for an initiative to help the community complete its recovery efforts. The company already has placed one of its executives in Joplin, and it is pledging additional funds and volunteer hours by company workers to go toward the city’s recovery.
-
Farm Service Agency announces deadline
Patty Lambert, executive director of Jasper County USDA Farm Service Agency, said producers are required to report prevented planting acreage for FSA program eligibility.
-
Former IRS worker gets probation after guilty plea to theft of funds
Pittsburg resident and former Internal Revenue Service employee Becky L. Book received two years probation after pleading guilty earlier this year to the theft of $26,449.65 in public funds.
-
Joplin residents can sign Banner of Hope for Moore during anniversary event today
Joplin residents will be able to sign a 20-foot banner sending messages of hope and encouragement to the people of Moore, Okla., during the anniversary ceremony today in Cunningham Park.
-
Mike Pound: Husband helps pull off surprise for Carl Junction teacher
Keri Keckley said the key to pulling off the Sunday surprise was the deceptive minister.
Boy, if that isn’t a great opening line for a crime novel, I don’t know what is. But in this case, the line doesn’t belong in a crime novel. It belongs in this column. -
Arma mother facing murder charge in sleeping baby’s death
Heather Buckalew fell asleep on a couch with her 4-month-old baby after a night last summer drinking beer with her boyfriend. The boyfriend, Donald Harvey, got up to go to work a few hours later and spotted his son, lying face down on a pillow between the back of the couch and his sleeping mother.
-
Joplin residents lend a hand in Moore
Joplin is paying it forward. The day before the two-year anniversary of an EF-5 tornado leveling one-third of Joplin, pastors from Ignite Church in Joplin were in Moore, where an EF-5 spent 40 minutes on the ground on Monday.
-
‘Letting Go Day’ planned to help clear the clutter
When Ann Leach lost most of her possessions in the tornado that struck Joplin on May 22, 2011, she realized that things don’t matter that much.
-
Monetary donations cited as best help for Moore
Financial support for organizations providing shelter and supplies to Oklahoma tornado survivors is recommended for people who want to help. Otherwise, the word is to wait for requests.
-
Joplin man continues struggle to recover two years after tornado
As the Joplin tornado passed overhead, sweeping the house at 2430 S. Pennsylvania Ave. away in its wake, there was a moment of calm. Delbert Mcguirk was on his back in the basement, where he had sought shelter along with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. In that moment of relative quiet, he stared up into the eye of the tornado.
- More Local News Headlines
-
