News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2003

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Shirley A. Armstead, Special Agent
Public Information Officer
Office: 314-538-4752
Cellular: 314-308-0996

Bourbon, Missouri Man Is Sentenced To Prison On Distribution Of Chemicals To Make Methamphetamine Conspiracy Charges

William J. Renton, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), St. Louis Division announced, on April 18, 2003, that John P. Bewig, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on conspiracy charges involving the distribution of psedoephedrine used to manufacture mathamphetamine.

Fifty-four year old Bewig, of the 3000 block of Oak Heaven Lane, Bourbon, MO, was convicted in January 2003, on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute pseudoephedrine. Co-defendants Veronica L. Heise, 46, of the 1000 block of North Service Road, Bourbon, MO and David M. Combs, 55, of the 800 block of Fisher Road, Cuba, MO plead guilty in January 2003, and were sentenced to two and five years in prison, respectively. Unites States District Judge Donald J. Stohr handed down the sentences.

Beginning in November 2001, and continuing through October 2002, Bewig and Heise sold 3512 boxes of pseudoephedrine pills from Biwig's I-44 One Stop in Crawford County, MO. David Combs admitted with his plea that he purchased large quantities of pseudoephedrine from the I-44 One Stop.

Mr. Renton stated, "DEA will investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, the legitimate businesses which facilitate illegal drug activity. The defendant in this case profited from selling cold medications used illegally in the production of methamphetamine. This drug has caused untold misery in the lives of citizens of the State of Missouri and throughout the country."

Mr. Renton went on to say, "This investigation is another outstanding example of the excellent cooperation that exists within the law enforcement community in the State of Missouri."