Crane Man Sentenced for Meth Conspiracy

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Crane, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri.

Kenneth A. Hoffman, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

Beginning in 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted by other agencies, investigated one of the largest methamphetamine distribution rings in southwest Missouri. The leaders of the drug-trafficking conspiracy were Kenneth R. Friend, 47, of Springfield, and Kenna Harmon, 39, of Republic, Mo., who obtained pound amounts of methamphetamine from sources in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Oklahoma for distribution in the Springfield area. The investigation resulted in the indictment of 29 co-defendants. In total, the Friend/Harmon drug-trafficking organization was responsible for the distribution of over 45 kilograms of methamphetamine from June 1, 2013, through Nov. 29, 2014.

Hoffman, who pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on Dec. 8, 2016, admitted he purchased methamphetamine from Harmon, which he distributed to others. During the course of the conspiracy, Hoffman was found in possession of over 768.5 grams of methamphetamine and $3,258. After the conspiracy, Hoffman was found by law enforcement in possession of an additional 774 grams of methamphetamine.

Hoffman has a prior state felony drug conviction for the distribution, delivery, or manufacture of a controlled substance.

Friend pleaded guilty on April 11, 2018, and awaits sentencing. Harmon pleaded guilty and was sentenced on May 29, 2018, to 21 years and six months in federal prison without parole.

Harmon’s husband, Daniel Harmon, was also a leader of the drug-trafficking conspiracy. In December 2013, Daniel Harmon was stopped by law enforcement officers outside of St. Louis. During a search of his vehicle, officers discovered approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, $60,000 and a handgun. Daniel Harmon was indicted in the Eastern District of Missouri and pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. After Daniel Harmon’s arrest and incarceration, Kenna Harmon continued to lead the drug-trafficking organization in its distribution of methamphetamine.  

Hoffman is among 24 co-defendants who have been sentenced in this case. The remaining five defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randall D. Eggert, Nhan D. Nguyen and Cynthia J. Hyde. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).