Green Ridge Man Sentenced to 10 Years

Ricky J. Richwine, 62, of Green Ridge, was sentenced Tuesday in the Circuit Court of Pettis County to the Department of Corrections on two separate drug-related matters.

On November 13, 2019 a Pettis County Jury convicted the defendant of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Use of a Weapon stemming from the execution of a drug related search warrant February 19, 2019, in Green Ridge. During the search officers located Valium (Diazepam), methamphetamine and a handgun.

At the time of the offense, the defendant was out on bond for an arrest and charges resulting from the execution of a previous drug related search warrant that was executed on October 30, 2018, at the same location in Green Ridge. During that incident the defendant was found to be in possession of more than 30 grams of methamphetamine as well as another handgun.

Richwine was charged out of that incident with Trafficking Drugs and Unlawful Use of Weapon. On November 14, 2019, the defendant entered a guilty plea in lieu of his scheduled trial.

After hearing arguments the defendant was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections for Trafficking Drugs, 10 years for Delivery of a Controlled Substance, 7 years for Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2 years for Unlawful Use of Weapon in one file and 1 year in the Pettis County Jail for the other Unlawful Use of Weapon.

--Submitted by Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney Phillip Sawyer