A man from Buckner, Missouri, was sentenced in federal court for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine and possessing firearms related to drug trafficking. Charles J. Dunne, 62, received a sentence of more than 15 years in federal prison without parole. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes ordered Dunne to serve 125 months for drug distribution and an additional consecutive 60 months for possessing 29 firearms in connection with his drug activities.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, law enforcement began investigating Dunne in early 2023 after receiving information about large-scale narcotics distribution from his residence. Between March and September 2023, authorities intercepted several individuals who had purchased drugs from Dunne. A search warrant led officers to discover significant amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, dozens of weapons, and six functional hand grenades at his home.
When law enforcement arrived at his residence, Dunne ingested a lethal dose of fentanyl but was given lifesaving care by emergency medical services.
Dunne pleaded guilty on March 27, 2025, to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense. He has previous convictions related to narcotics offenses, including a federal conviction for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine in 1998.
“This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Jackson County Drug Task Force.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri manages federal crime prosecutions across 66 counties from the Iowa border to the Arkansas border and maintains offices in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield (official website). The office collaborates with various law enforcement partners on issues such as violent crime and drug trafficking (official website).
