Attorney General Hanaway Announces 29 Year Sentence in Pike County Drug Trafficking Case

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that former Louisiana, Missouri Police Chief William Jones has been sentenced to 29 years in prison following his conviction on six felony counts connected to drug trafficking, controlled‑substance possession, and evidence tampering.

“Today’s sentence brings accountability for a former community leader who violated the public trust and endangered the very people he was sworn to protect,” said General Hanaway. “No one is above the law. We will continue to work closely with local agencies to ensure that those who misuse their positions of authority are held fully responsible.”

Jones served as the Police Chief of Louisiana until October 2022. The Attorney General’s Office filed charges after a 2022 incident in which two individuals overdosed on fentanyl in Jones’ apartment—one of whom later died. The investigation revealed that Jones had been supplying fentanyl to his girlfriend. It was also discovered that Jones had removed methamphetamine and other items from evidence.

Jones has been convicted of two counts of trafficking drugs in the second degree, tampering with physical evidence, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and stealing a controlled substance.

The case was investigated by the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and originally charged by Pike County Prosecuting Attorney Alex Ellison. The Attorney General’s Office was appointed conflict prosecutor and a bench trial was held on June 22–23, 2026, before Judge Deborah Alessi in St. Charles County.

At trial, the State of Missouri was represented by Assistant Attorneys General Michael Schafer and Corie Geary‑Atkins, and Investigator Rob Jauer.

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