Show-Me State Times

A former employee of a Missouri state prison appeared in U.S. District Court Friday to answer drug charges.

Steven M. Reminger, 53, was indicted on September 12 on three felony charges: conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, attempt to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and making a false statement.

He appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty.

The indictment alleges that the drug conspiracy began in November 2021. The indictment says Reminger made a false statement on Nov. 8, 2021, by providing a false name to employees of the U.S. Postal Service when applying for a Post Office Box in Farmington, Missouri. Reminger’s attempt to possess controlled substances occurred on May 24 and 25 of 2022, the indictment alleges. A forfeiture allegation says $19,000 in cash, knives, and cellular phones were seized on May 25, 2022.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The drug charges carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both prison and a fine. The false statements charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Missouri Department of Corrections Office of Professional Standards, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Rebar is prosecuting the case.