James Leach et al. Press Release (Indictment)

September 16, 2009
For Immediate Release

FOUR JEFFERSON COUNTY MEN INDICTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES

St. Louis, MO: Four Jefferson County men were indicted on firearms, methamphetamine and attempted witness tampering charges, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today.

INDICTED:

JAMES LEACH, of Jefferson County, Missouri, one felony count each of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and three counts of attempted witness tampering
RANDY HONEYCUTT, Pevely, Missouri; CHARLES BRANSON, Fenton, Missouri, and JOHN KOENIG, Fenton, Missouri, were each indicted on one felony count of attempted witness tampering by intimidation

According to the indictment, in June 2009, James Leach possessed methamphetamine for distribution and firearms in furtherance of the drug activity. On three occasions in June and August, Leach attempted to threaten three people to influence their testimony about his alleged crimes. Defendants Honeycutt, Branson and Koenig are also charged with threatening a prospective witness.

The indictment was returned September 10, and all defendants appeared this week in federal court in St. Louis.

If convicted, being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $1,000,000;
possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a penalty range of five years to life in prison, consecutive to the other counts; and attempted witness tampering carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

Reap commended the work performed on the case by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and Assistant United States Attorney John Sauer, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI MICHAEL W. REAP Acting United States Attorney	NEWS RELEASE
For further information call (314) 539-2200
September 16, 2009 For Immediate Release FOUR JEFFERSON COUNTY MEN INDICTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES St. Louis, MO: Four Jefferson County men were indicted on firearms, methamphetamine and attempted witness tampering charges, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today. INDICTED: JAMES LEACH, of Jefferson County, Missouri, one felony count each of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and three counts of attempted witness tampering RANDY HONEYCUTT, Pevely, Missouri; CHARLES BRANSON, Fenton, Missouri, and JOHN KOENIG, Fenton, Missouri, were each indicted on one felony count of attempted witness tampering by intimidation According to the indictment, in June 2009, James Leach possessed methamphetamine for distribution and firearms in furtherance of the drug activity. On three occasions in June and August, Leach attempted to threaten three people to influence their testimony about his alleged crimes. Defendants Honeycutt, Branson and Koenig are also charged with threatening a prospective witness. The indictment was returned September 10, and all defendants appeared this week in federal court in St. Louis. If convicted, being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $1,000,000; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a penalty range of five years to life in prison, consecutive to the other counts; and attempted witness tampering carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. Reap commended the work performed on the case by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and Assistant United States Attorney John Sauer, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.