Mexico man sentenced to 30 years for drug trafficking, gun charges

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mexico man found guilty by a jury in August was sentenced on Monday to 30 years behind bars.

According to Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger, Larry Karhoff, 53, was sentenced to 30 years at the Missouri Department of Corrections for drug trafficking and firearm charges.

Shellabarger said in a release that a judge sentenced Karhoff to serve 15 years on two counts of Trafficking in the First Degree for methamphetamine and fentanyl, 7 years for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 7 years for Possession of a Controlled Substance, 4 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and a fine for Driving While Suspended.

The drug trafficking charges will run consecutive to each other for a total of 30 years, the other charges will run concurrent, according to the release.

“A 30-year sentence sends a strong message: if you bring dangerous drugs into our community, our local law enforcement will find you and put a stop to your actions,” Shellabarger said in the release.

Karhoff was charged after a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper pulled him over for being a revoked driver on Feb. 5, 2022. The release said the trooper arrested him and found methamphetamine, fentanyl,
alprazolam and hydrocodone along with a handgun in his pants. Due to prior convictions, Karhoff was not allowed to have a gun.

"He had ammunition on his person, and guns make our streets more dangerous when they are possessed by felons and criminals, Shellabarger said in the release. "Drugs and guns don’t mix. We will aggressively and consistently hold firearm offenders accountable. Law abiding citizens should know we will protect lawful firearms possession and use by citizens, but those won’t follow our laws should not be armed.”

Karhoff still has two other open cases in Audrain County including another drug trafficking case from 2023 and a drug charge from 2024.