Barry County Man Sentenced to 96 Months for Drug Trafficking and Illegally Possessing Firearm

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Purdy, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, and illegally possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Dennis E. McMullen, 69, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Brian C. Wimes to eight years in federal prison for possessing fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin with the intent to distribute, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, followed by five years of supervised release. McMullen pleaded guilty to the offenses on Sept. 29, 2025.

On July 30, 2024, investigators with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team (ODET), and Barry County, Mo., Sheriff's Office (BCSO) executed a search warrant on McMullen's residence following a controlled purchase of fentanyl from McMullen. Investigators searched the residence and discovered various controlled substances, paraphernalia, and a firearm. In the kitchen, investigators seized plastic baggies containing suspected controlled substances, including a baggie located inside a plastic tub of candy, an additional white rock-like substance, and scales.

In the residence's upstairs bedroom, investigators located a Jennings model J-22 .22 caliber pistol, several boxes of ammunition, and two additional baggies of a white powder-like substance. Investigators also located a bag of a white powder-like substance from the console area of a vehicle parked outside. The suspected controlled substances were sent to a DEA laboratory for analysis, which resulted in the following substances being identified: 8.1 grams of fentanyl and lidocaine; 2.007 grams of fentanyl (found in the tub of candy); 2.169 grams of fentanyl; 2.501 grams of fentanyl and lidocaine; 5.2 grams of fentanyl, lidocaine, and acetaminophen; 31.874 grams of cocaine; .087 grams of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, lidocaine, and xylazine; and .754 grams of fentanyl, lidocaine, and acetaminophen.

According to court documents, McMullen has a criminal history that extends back decades, including prior felony convictions for forgery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, money laundering, and solicitation to kill a federal witness.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wyatt A. Cross and Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, and the Barry County, Mo. Sheriff's Office.

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