Springfield man sentenced to 18 years in prison for dealing meth and illegal firearms

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) – A judge has sentenced a Springfield, Mo. man in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo. and for illegal possession of firearms.

Justin Thomas Hollingsworth, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 18 years in federal prison without parole.

On August 23, 2023, Hollingsworth pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Hollingsworth admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County between June 1 and August 25, 2022. Hollingsworth also admitted that on August 25, 2022, he was in possession of a 9mm Ruger handgun and to a Smith & Wesson .380. -caliber pistol.

According to court documents, Hollingsworth made more than $30,000 in one month selling methamphetamine. Hollingsworth is charged with a total of nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hollingsworth’s residence and arrested him on June 29, 2022. Officers found nine baggies containing a total of 342.4 grams of methamphetamine in a black zippered box on Hollingsworth’s bed. On the bedroom floor they found another ziplock box containing a total of 23 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Officers also found a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun, two loaded magazines, seven bags of assorted pills and $17,766 in cash, which the court today ordered forfeited to the government. Officers found several bags of methamphetamine in the rest of the house.

On August 25, 2022, law enforcement arrested Hollingsworth again outside a local hotel and searched his vehicle. Officers found approximately three kilograms of methamphetamine, a Ruger 9mm pistol, a high capacity drum magazine loaded with 39 rounds of ammunition for the Ruger pistol, a box of ammunition and a bag of marijuana. In Hollingsworth’s hotel room, officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson .380 caliber handgun with an extended magazine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Officers also found $14,156 in cash, which the court today ordered forfeited to the government.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and the Springfield, Missouri Police Department.

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