A Mexico, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court Thursday for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Callaway County.
Robby Dee Kesler, 54, was sentenced to 11 years and five months in federal prison without parole.
On July 19, Kesler pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Mustang Task Force officers, aware that Kesler had outstanding warrants, were investigating Kesler and had him under surveillance on May 21, 2015. Kesler drove to a residence in Columbia. When a Missouri Highway Patrol trooper approached Kesler, he got out of his vehicle and went into the residence. The residents of the home told the trooper that Kesler had entered without their consent and was hiding in the bathroom. Officers set up a perimeter around the residence, and after several hours were able to make contact. After a period of negotiations, Kesler surrendered to officers.
When taken into custody, Kesler had $1,759 in his wallet. Officers also found a large Zip-loc bag that contained approximately 370 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a canvas bag behind the driver's seat of his car. Officers also found an additional $9,000 inside the residence.
On May 26, 2015, a search was conducted at Kesler's mother's residence in Mexico where Kesler was living at the time. Officers recovered drug paraphernalia and a Walther PPK pistol.
According to court documents, Callaway County Sheriff's deputies had conducted a search warrant at Kesler's residence on Aug. 25, 2013. Officers recovered a number of items consistent with drug distribution, including digital scales, five grams of methamphetamine, and $16,460 in U.S. currency from his bedroom.
On Jan. 20, 2014, Kesler and two other individuals were in a vehicle that was stopped by officers. The officers recovered drug paraphernalia, bags containing suspected methamphetamine, and $20,169 from the vehicle. Officers conducted a search of Kesler's residence in Fulton the same day and recovered numerous items of drug paraphernalia, a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine, a shotgun and $1,650. According to court documents, the residence was equipped with surveillance cameras.