United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ST. LOUIS – Tracy Douglas Hyden, 55, of Jefferson County, Missouri, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.

According to a plea agreement, in 2018 and 2019, investigators discovered that methamphetamine distributors operating in and around Jefferson County, including Hyden and several of his co-defendants, were traveling to St. Louis to obtain large quantities of crystal methamphetamine for redistribution in Jefferson County and elsewhere.

In August of 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division agents conducting surveillance observed Hyden meeting with a co-defendant who was supplying methamphetamine near the Central West End neighborhood in St. Louis. Following a transaction that occurred near a stash house utilized by co-conspirators near the 4100 block of Westminster, investigators stopped Hyden and ultimately located approximately 110 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his vehicle.

Hyden faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years and a maximum term of life and/or a fine of not more than $10,000,000.

Judge Limbaugh has set sentencing for April 15, 2021.

DEA investigated this case with the Multi County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit.