Kansas Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Death of Drug Informant

A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the October 2017 death of a confidential drug informant.

Steven Meredith was sentenced Monday for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the shooting death of 48-year-old Carrie Jones. Both were from Junction City.

Jones’ body was found by deer hunters in rural Riley County in October 2017.

The Manhattan Mercury reports prosecutors contend Meredith shot Jones because he thought she would tell authorities that he was selling drugs.

Meredith pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge in July, days before his trial was set to begin. He initially was charged with first-degree murder.

Meredith testified Monday that he was present when Jones was shot but said he did not shoot her.