Missouri man admits being caught on Interstate 44 with nearly 3 pounds of meth

ST. LOUIS – A Lee's Summit, Missouri, man appeared in federal court in downtown St. Louis on Monday and admitted to leading police on a high-speed chase on Interstate 44 before being caught with nearly three pounds of methamphetamine.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Antonio D. Braxton, 49, will be sentenced on October 30 after pleading guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Braxton faces between 10 years and life in prison, plus a $10 million fine.

The chase occurred on July 2, 2022.

According to court documents, a deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office pulled over Braxton, who was driving a dark blue Pontiac Trans Am, for improperly passing a tractor-trailer. The Trans Am also had a license plate that was not on file.

Braxton argued with the deputy and refused to turn over his registration. When the deputy called for backup, Braxton sped off and led police on a 23-mile chase across several major roadways, with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.

Braxton eventually got on I-44. Officers from the Eureka...