Karhoff sentenced to 30 years

Posted 11/13/24

Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger announces that Larry Dale Karhoff, 53, of Mexico, was sentenced to a total of 30 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections: 15 years on …

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Karhoff sentenced to 30 years

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Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger announces that Larry Dale Karhoff, 53, of Mexico, was sentenced to a total of 30 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections: 15 years on each of two counts of counts of trafficking in the first degree for methamphetamine and fentanyl, seven years for felon in possession of a firearm, seven years for possession of a controlled substance, four years for unlawful use of a weapon, and a fine for driving while suspended. The trafficking counts are ordered to run consecutively to each other, for a total confinement of 30 years. All other counts will run concurrent. 

A jury of 11 women and one man found Karhoff guilty after about two hours of deliberations at the Audrain County Courthouse in Mexico on Aug. 26. Circuit Judge Jason Lamb presided over the single day trial and sentenced Karhoff today. Prosecuting Attorney Shellabarger and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (APA) Jordan Duenckel tried the case to an Audrain County jury. 

“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.

 “It’s important that our community understand that the most serious sentences are for those career criminals who repeatedly break our laws, and particularly those who trap others in the cycle of addiction, those who profit from the destruction drugs bring.” APA Jordan Duenckel said. “Adding a firearm to his illegal activities makes him even more dangerous to all of us in the community.”

Shellabarger added that,  “Methamphetamine and fentanyl are killing people in our community, and drug traffickers are responsible for bringing these lethal substances into our homes, schools and community. Larry Karhoff, a career criminal, had four controlled substances at the time of arrest, and the jury convicted him of each one. He had 18 times the trafficking amount of fentanyl and significantly more than the trafficking amount for methamphetamine. These drugs, intercepted by good police work, are now off our streets.” 

Karhoff had a gun on him at the time of the traffic stop.

 “That gun was in his pants,” said Shellabarger..”He had ammunition on his person, and guns make our streets more dangerous when they are possessed by felons and criminals. 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 who won't follow our laws should not be armed.”

The incident occurred on Feb. 5, 2022, when a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper noticed a car with what he believed was a revoked driver. Larry Karhoff, the driver, was revoked. He was arrested for that, and searched, where the Trooper found methamphetamine, fentanyl, alprazolam and hydrocodone, as well as a Ruger handgun found in Karhoff’s pants. Karhoff has multiple prior convictions for controlled substances, including distribution of a controlled substance, and as a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. 

“The jury was very attentive to the evidence, and listened intently to the facts through this trial.” Shellabarger said. “I commend them for their focus, persistence and dedication to a just result. This jury has delivered a powerful message to this community that drug offenders will face justice, illegal firearms will be stopped, and actions have consequences.” 

Shellabarger gave credit to those involved in the case.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol deserves high praise for a thorough investigation in this case,” Shellabarger said. “Troopers and our law enforcement partners are doing drug interdiction every day in our community, and stopping the flow of illegal drugs into our community requires a lot of effort and focus. They have met this challenge and continue to do so daily. We would also like to thank the Missouri State Highway Patrol criminalist for completing laboratory analysis to confirm these dangerous drugs’ weight and nature.” 

The case number is 22AU-CR00079-01, State vs. Larry Karhoff. Larry Karhoff has two other open cases in Audrain County, and remains innocent until proven guilty in those cases.


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