Columbia, Missouri Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Meth

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo. man was sentenced in federal court today for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Ronald Dale Thornton, III, 35, of Columbia, Mo., was sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine by U.S. District Judge Steven R. Bough to 15 years in prison without parole for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. On March 19, 2024, members of the Columbia Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) served a search warrant at an Airbnb rented by Thornton in Columbia. During the search, 50 packages of methamphetamine weighing a total of 50 pounds were recovered along with $24,957 in U.S. currency. Thornton was present at the residence along with other individuals. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Operation Take Back America This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.