CAPE GIRARDEAU – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Paula J. Laboone, age 64, of Kennett, Missouri, was sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison for the offenses of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon. Laboone appeared for her sentencing hearing today before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. at the federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
According to court documents, on January 30, 2023, a search warrant was executed at the residence of Paula Laboone in Kennett, Missouri. Numerous bags and baggies containing over 2 pounds of methamphetamine packaged for sale were seized from the living room and bedroom of the residence. Additionally, a Taurus semi-automatic pistol was seized from the bedroom.
Laboone was later interviewed and admitted to buying and selling methamphetamine for several months. She further admitted that the firearm was hers and she was aware she could not possess it. Laboone has previous felony convictionsfor possession of controlled substancesin Dunklin County and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. This case was investigated by the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Julie Hunter handled the prosecution for the government.