Drug bust yields funds for schools

Thursday, October 9, 2003

EAST PRAIRIE - Mississippi County Public Schools are $608 richer thanks to a drug seizure last month.

Circuit Judge David A. Dolan of the 33rd Judicial Court signed an order Thursday authorizing the forfeiture of drug money seized during a routine traffic stop.

According to the Mississippi County Prosecutor's Office, on Sept. 12, officers Paul Meacham and Tonya Warren of the East Prairie Police Department found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and money in the truck of Randy L. Burton of Morehouse.

The officers seized the contraband and associated money and reported the matter to the prosecutor's office.

"Missouri state law allows for the forfeiture of money associated with criminal activity and provides that the money should go to the county school fund," said Prosecutor Jennifer Raffety. "With the help of my assistant prosecutor, Neal Frazier, we plan to put this forfeiture law to good use, taking money away from criminals and ensuring that it be used to benefit our area schools."

Burton pled guilty on Oct. 1 to the felony charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge T. Lynn Brown.

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