ST. LOUIS, MO – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey has sentenced Clifford Pankey, 42, to 15 years in federal prison for methamphetamine distribution and firearms violations.
Pankey, a convicted felon, pleaded guilty in July to charges of being a felon in possession of firearms and distributing methamphetamine.
During a January 26, 2023, search of Pankey’s residence near St. James, Missouri, law enforcement discovered significant evidence of criminal activity.
The search, conducted with a court-approved warrant, uncovered approximately 230 grams of methamphetamine, which Pankey admitted he intended to distribute.
Officers also found numerous firearms, including a defaced .22 caliber revolver, a Ruger .380 caliber pistol, three rifles, four pistols, and a shotgun, along with stolen property.
The case was investigated by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Becker prosecuted the case.
This sentencing underscores the collaborative effort between local and federal authorities to address drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession.