Traffic Stop Results to 20 Years in Prison for Man Leading Meth Conspiracy

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Nevada, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Trenton D. Wallace, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On Dec. 14, 2023, Wallace pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

An Oklahoma State Highway Patrol trooper stopped Wallace, who was driving a Chevrolet Impala, on Interstate 44 on Feb. 16, 2022. Wallace denied being in possession of any firearms, but the trooper seized a Freedom Arms .22-caliber pistol (disguised to look like a belt buckle) when Wallace reached for it as a drug-sniffing dog was being deployed. Wallace also was in possession of $4,206 in cash.

When a police dog alerted to the presence of drugs, troopers searched the vehicle and found a duffel bag that contained approximately 25 pounds (9.9 kilograms) of methamphetamine, packaged in 10 large plastic bags. Troopers also found a loaded H&K 9mm semi-automatic pistol under the driver's seat and a loaded Sig Sauer .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol under the passenger's seat.

According to court documents, Wallace is an admittedly active and high-ranking member of the Southwest Honkey's prison gang. The methamphetamine seized from Wallace would be enough to supply two doses (.25 grams) of methamphetamine to every man, woman, and child in Vernon County, Mo.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team.