Jefferson County Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Charges

Dominic Orlando, a resident of De Soto, pled guilty to one count of possessing pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, according to a press release by the United States Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri.

Orlando was scheduled to begin trial for the charges on Nov. 14, but instead chose to plead guilty a day before the trial.

According to the release, Orlando will join a list of co-defendants who chose to plead guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to possess pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture meth. The following co-defendants await sentencing:

• Todd Michael Adams, of Festus, sentencing set for Nov. 29
• Monty Emmett Manion, of Desoto, sentencing set for Jan. 3, 2012
• Daniel Jerome Dierberg, of High Ridge, sentencing set for Jan. 3, 2012
• Terry Joe Smith, Jr., of DeSoto, sentencing set for Jan. 10, 2012
• Bryan Keith Adams, of St. Francois County, sentencing set for Jan. 12, 2012
• Brent Jeffrey Johns, of Crystal City, sentencing set for Jan. 24, 2012
• Tommy Wayne Gallaway, of DeSoto, sentencing set for Jan. 31, 2012

The defendants could face a penalty of up to 20 years in jail and/or a fine of $250,000, depending on the judge’s sentencing.