Evergreen Reporter

ST. LOUIS – A western Missouri man admitted on Monday to being caught with nearly three pounds of methamphetamine following a high-speed police chase that began and ended on Interstate 44 in Franklin County.

Antonio D. Braxton, 49, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He acknowledged his intention to distribute the drug.

On July 2, 2022, a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a dark blue Pontiac Trans Am for improperly passing a tractor-trailer. The vehicle also had a license plate that was “not on file.” Braxton initially refused to provide his registration and argued with the deputy. When the deputy called for backup, Braxton sped off, leading law enforcement officers on a 23-mile pursuit involving several major roads at speeds exceeding 100 mph. He eventually stopped on Interstate 44 and was arrested by officers from the Eureka Police Department. Upon approaching the car, officers observed three cellophane-wrapped packages on the passenger side floorboard. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators recovered the packages containing 1.339 kilograms of nearly pure methamphetamine.

Braxton is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30. The meth distribution charge carries a penalty of ten years to life in prison, a $10 million fine or both.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Eureka Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the St. Louis County Police Department and the Pacific Police Department investigated or assisted with the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Voss is prosecuting.