A man from Portageville, Missouri, has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison after being convicted of methamphetamine trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. Michael C. Patton, 37, received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes and will not be eligible for parole.
Patton was found guilty by a jury on January 14, 2025, following a two-day trial. The charges included possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms.
The case stems from an incident on May 12, 2021, when Springfield police officers stopped a vehicle in which Patton was a passenger. During the search, officers discovered a backpack on the front passenger floorboard containing a loaded Beretta firearm, a plastic bag with 344 grams of pure methamphetamine, and Patton’s Missouri identification. Another small black backpack with a loaded revolver was found in the backseat floorboard.
Court documents indicate that Patton has prior felony convictions for stealing as well as previous offenses involving possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to sell.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron A. Beaver and Jessica R. Eatmon prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield Police Department.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
