Drug dealer charged with murder bound over to Division 1

Larry Kenton Sanders, 41, was arrested in late August and charged with the Class B felony of distribution of a controlled substance -- methadone -- and the Class A felony of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 19-year-old Michael Robinson. Sanders has also been charged as a prior and persistent offender on both charges.

According to Missouri Case.net, a preliminary hearing was held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday before Associate Circuit Judge Joe Z. Satterfield. Sanders appeared in court with his attorney W. Rance Butler as did Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn.

The court Web site states that evidence was presented by both sides. It was then that the "court [found] probable cause to believe the charged felonies were committed and probable cause to believe the defendant [Sanders] committed the felonies."

At that time the case was certified by Satterfield and bound over to Division I. Sanders will make his first appearance in that division before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen R. Sharp Wednesday, Oct. 17, for further proceedings. Satterfield also ordered that Sanders be continued on bond as it was set at the time of his arrest.

According to Missouri Case.net, Sanders has been charged with numerous crimes in the past, the most recent being Sanders pleading guilty to the Class C felony of possession of a controlled substance in April 2006.

At that time, Sanders was sentenced to seven years' in the Missouri Department of Corrections, however, he was placed on three years supervised probation following his August 2006 completion of a 120-day shock incarceration program.

Sanders' arrest followed a four-month investigation into the death of a 19-year-old Dexter man by the Dexter Police Department. A report filed by Dexter Police Department Detective Lt. Trevor Pulley, officers were dispatched to a home in the 200 block of South Mulberry Street in late April concerning an unresponsive male.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Michael Robinson in a bedroom of the residence. Emergency medical services arrived on the scene and confirmed that Robinson was deceased. Officers learned that Robinson's father, James, had checked on Michael periodically throughout the day and thought "he was in a deep sleep because he could not get a response from Michael."

James Robinson told officers it wasn't unusual for his son to sleep during the day, because he worked an overnight shift.

Officers also interviewed Robinson's brother, Billy, in the front yard of the residence where the body was discovered. Billy Robinson told officers he had not spoken with his brother that day, but had received a call from Sanders in which Sanders confused Billy Robinson for Michael Robinson.

"He said 'is there a chance, is there a possibility, it is looking good,'" Billy Robinson allegedly told authorities, stating that Sanders was referring to drugs. Billy Robinson said he then identified himself to Sanders and told him not to call or come by the residence anymore. However, Billy Robinson said that when he arrived home between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. on the day his brother's body was found, Sanders was in the residence speaking to James Robinson.

Robinson's body was taken to the Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington where an autopsy was performed. Summary findings show that Robinson died of acute levels of the drug Methadone in his blood. Also found in Robinson's blood were traces of therapeutic levels of diphenhydramine and Alprazolam and marijuana metabolite.

"In consideration of the circumstances surrounding the death and after examination of the body, it is my opinion that Michael Robinson, a 19-year-old male, died as a result of acute Methadone intoxication," the report read. "Manner of death: Accident."

During the course of the investigation, two witnesses came forward and reported that they had seen Robinson buy pills from Sanders one day prior to his death. Both witnesses stated that they observed Robinson trade money to Sanders for 25 to 30 white, square pills. Robinson later allegedly told the witnesses the pills were Methadone.

"But as we were leaving, the Larry guy said Dexter is a small town and don't tell no one or get caught with them to Michael," one witness stated. "We heard him say it."

Sanders was then brought in for questioning to the Dexter Police Station, according to Pulley's report. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Sanders denied giving or selling Robinson anything. In fact, Sanders allegedly told police he witnesses someone else giving Robinson pills.

"I repaired Billy Robinson's car the Friday prior to [Michael Robinson's] death and I left a socket set in his car so I returned Friday to retrieve it and Billy wasn't home," Sanders allegedly said in his written statement. "Mike was outside in the carport talking to [an individual] and he turned toward me and extended his hand to show me a blue tablet and then popped it in his mouth.

"He then explained to me that is was morphine and he received if from [an individual]. At no time did I retrieve any cash or compensation from Michael Robinson nor did I give him any narcotic or controlled substance."

In late July, Pulley received a confidential report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol regarding a controlled buy of hydrocodone pills from Sanders. A warrant for Sander's arrest was signed Friday, Aug. 24, by Satterfield.

Sacha Champion may be reached via e-mail at schampion@dailystatesman.com