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Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Missouri
Jeffrey B. Jensen, United States Attorney
www.justice.gov/usao-edmo
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Woman Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Conspiracy that Resulted in Shooting Death of Co-Conspirator

St. Louis, MO – Kathleen Marie Hydar, 31, of Jefferson County, pled guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and sentencing has been set for July 9, 2019.
 
According to court documents, in the evening hours of October 10, 2017 and into the early morning hours of October 11, 2017, Hydar invited co-defendant Courtney Brown to come from the City of Saint Louis to Jefferson County, Missouri.  Hydar had informed Brown that she knew of a way for them to “make some money” that evening.  Brown picked up Hydar in a vehicle being driven by Ramone Thomas.  Also in the car were co-defendants Paris Devine, Raymond Seay, and an unindicted subject.
 
When Hydar got into the vehicle, she informed Devine and other members of the group that she knew of a location where they could steal large amounts of methamphetamine, United States currency, and firearms.  Hydar instructed the driver, Ramone Thomas, to make a stop at another residence prior to going to the aforementioned target location.  While at this residence, Hydar described, in detail, where Brown, Devine, Seay, and Ramone Thomas could locate a large amount of methamphetamine, firearms, and currency within a trailer owned by victim Chad Coffman.  After describing where the others could locate these items, Hydar got back into the vehicle and proceeded to direct the driver, Ramone Thomas, to the victim’s residence.  Hydar also made a phone call to victim Chad Coffman to ensure he would not be home when the group arrived to burglarize his trailer.
 
When they arrived at the victim’s residence shortly before 4:00 a.m. on October 11, 2017, Brown, Devine, Seay, and Thomas exited the vehicle, kicked in the main door, and made entry.
 
Shortly after Seay, Brown, Devine, and Ramone Thomas entered, victim Chad Coffman arrived home and interrupted the burglary.  Hydar jumped into the driver’s seat of the vehicle and fled the scene. 
 
While in the trailer, Thomas, Seay, Devine, and Brown heard victim Chad Coffman arrive home.  Ramone Thomas passed off a firearm he had brought to the residence to co-defendant Courtney Brown, and they all attempted to flee from the trailer.  As Brown exited the residence, he turned the corner, raised the firearm, and discharged it one time, believing he was shooting at victim Chad Coffman.  The projectile struck Ramone Thomas in front of the residence, killing him.
 
Chad Coffman pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to 96 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Paris Devine pleaded guilty on February 11, 2019 and is set for sentencing on July 9, 2019.  Raymond Seay pleaded guilty on March 13, 2019 and is set for sentencing on June 11, 2019.  Courtney Brown pleaded guilty on March 29, 2019 and is set for sentencing on June 25, 2019.
 
Hydar faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
 
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Major Case Squad and the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office.
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