WOMAN, 82, JAILED OVER METH SALES

Josephine Mary Greer Enters A Plea That Acknowledges Evidence Against Her.

West Plains - An 82-year-old woman, who authorities said is known for
dealing drugs, is awaiting sentencing on a methamphetamine charge after
telling a Howell County judge that prosecutors had enough evidence to
convict her.

Josephine Mary Greer has entered an Alford plea in Howell County Circuit
Court to a felony charge of distributing meth. The plea does not admit
guilt but acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence to secure a
conviction if the case were to go to trial.

Greer, of Caulfield, is accused of selling one gram of meth to an
undercover officer in March 2001 at the Sahara Motel, north of West Plains.

Sgt. Mike Stuart of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Drug Unit said Greer
is no stranger to law enforcement.

"Mrs. Greer has been involved in the drug culture for a long time," he said.

She previously served six years' probation for distributing marijuana.

Stuart said Greer's latest arrest was the result of an informant telling a
West Plains police officer that Greer was dealing meth.

"We took an undercover surveillance vehicle and did round-the-clock
surveillance," Stuart said. "We watched the coming and going of many known
to us in the drug culture."

Stuart said people would enter the Sahara Motel, which Greer managed, and a
few minutes later exit the building - behavior indicative of drug transactions.

The informant, wearing a wire, was then sent to buy drugs from Greer, he said.

Stuart said it is not the first time he's arrested someone Greer's age, but
it is unusual.

"That's the oldest lady we've had in jail for anything," said Howell County
Sheriff Bill Shephard, adding that in his 29-year law enforcement career,
Greer is the oldest person he's incarcerated.

Shephard said her age didn't pose any problems while she was jailed, and
she was treated the "same as anyone."

Greer previously said she has never manufactured or distributed meth, and
that she believed she was framed.

Sentencing was set for Oct. 23.