Suspected Mid-MO cocaine ring leader pleads guilty in federal court

A suspected cocaine ring leader involved in a major drug round-up last fall pleaded guilty to distributing crack cocaine in federal court Tuesday.

Malcom Redmon, 32, pleaded guilty to distributing crack cocaine and powder cocaine in Boone County between November 2011 and August 2014.

Redmon is the 11th defendant to plead guilty in the case.

ABC 17 News brought you the news conference live last fall when Redmon and 26 others were charged in a federal indictment relating to the Mid-Missouri cocaine ring.

Earlier this fall, ABC 17 News was the only station to report on a letter of oppositionin response to a request from Redmon’s lawyer to allow him to keep court discovery while in jail.

The letter said Redmon’s previous lawyer had given reports to him in direct violation of court order. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Gonzalez said Redmon then used those documents to identify people believed to be confidential informants, and told people outside of jail.

Tuesday’s plea agreement is being held under seal.

Redmon was originally arrested on three cocaine related charges last August, and more than a dozen charges stemming back to drug trafficking and distribution.

Redmon could face a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the crime.