Attorney General's News Release

March 5, 1999

Attorney General's Meth Prosecution Strike Force wins jury conviction

Jefferson City, MO — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's Methamphetamine Prosecution Strike Force today obtained a felony conviction against a Hickory County man for manufacturing methamphetamine.

On a change of venue, a Dallas County jury found Larry Box, 51, guilty of manufacturing meth. Box, who has a prior meth conviction, faces a Class A felony that carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment. Sentencing is set for April 14 in Buffalo before Dallas County Circuit Court Judge Cody Hanna.

Box was arrested along with his brother, Edgar Box, and two other men for the same crime. All are from Hickory County.

The prosecution was led by assistant attorney general Richard Hicks and Strike Force director Tim Anderson.

"This is an outstanding example of law enforcement working together on the state and local levels to stop the manufacture and use of this dangerous drug," Nixon said.

The Strike Force was created to work cooperatively with county prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and regional drug task forces in the detection and prosecution of meth producers and users.

The Strike Force, created by the state legislature last year, is handling 90 meth cases throughout the state, Nixon said. Three cases are set for trial this month:

• March 16: In Lafayette County for possession and conspiracy to manufacture meth.
• March 18: In New Madrid County for possession and manufacturing meth.
• March 22: In Clay County for possession of meth and carrying a concealed weapon.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818