Meth Distributor in Southwest Missouri Sentenced to 20 Years

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Carthage, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for possessing methamphetamine to distribute.

Robert Marion Nevels, 36, was sentenced on Thursday, Oct. 3, to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On March 12, 2024, Nevels pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Nevels admitted that he was in possession of 200.2 grams of methamphetamine and a handgun when he was stopped by Carthage police officers on May 16, 2023.

Nevels, who was on probation and parole at the time for assault and narcotics, was driving a tan 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis when he was stopped for failing to signal. The officer searched Nevels's vehicle and found a backpack in the trunk that contained a loaded Echasa 7.65-caliber handgun and plastic baggies that contained methamphetamine. There were also four receipts (totaling $6,523) that indicated Nevels had been sending money to Mexico and California, as well as numerous empty baggies with methamphetamine residue.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers seized a total of 598.8 grams of pure methamphetamine. Nevels was responsible for the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms but less than 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Nevels was involved in large-quantity methamphetamine distribution in Jasper and Newton Counties beginning as early as February 2023. Text messages indicate he could purchase one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of methamphetamine for $4,000. He typically sold to customers in quantities between one-eighth ounce to one pound. His distribution prices fluctuated, but text messages indicate he typically sold one ounce of methamphetamine for $300 to $350, and one pound of methamphetamine for $2,300 to $2,500.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Carthage, Mo., Police Department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.