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A 2-day jury trial in Adair Circuit Court concluded this week with the male subject being found guilty.
The trial stemmed from an undercover investigation from the Spring of 2021 which was initiated by the Columbia Area HIDTA Office. Investigator Ethan Pike was able to secure three separate buys of methamphetamine from an individual on Quinn Hollow Road, located approximately 11 miles from Columbia on Hwy 551 (Knifley Road) before obtaining a search warrant for the property.
49-year-old Damon Cruse of Columbia was charged with three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana in 2021.
The trial concluded on Thursday, July 12, 2023 with the jury recommending one year for misdemeanor offenses and 24 years for trafficking offenses. Cruse was taken into custody following the trial and will be sentenced on July 27th.
