A St Joseph man was sentenced to serve nearly six years in federal prison for trying to kill the informant who told authorities about his plans to bring cocaine to St Joseph.

Justin M. Hill, 21 pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of an informant. In a release, US Attorney Tammy Dickinson said the informant had told agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that Hill was bringing powder cocaine from Kansas City, Mo., to St. Joseph.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers attempted to stop Hill, who while fleeing from them tossed two ounces of cocaine out of his vehicle. Hill was stopped and arrested, but troopers could not find the tossed cocaine.

On multiple occasions following the stop, law enforcement officers saw Hill searching in that area. When asked what he was looking for, Hill told them he was looking for a lost ring.

On Sept. 5, 2013, law enforcement officers found the cocaine in brush about seven or eight feet from the roadway.

On Aug. 30, 2013, Justin Hill rammed a Chevy Suburban into the confidential informant’s vehicle, near 21st and Messanie streets, then got out fired six shots at the informant.

U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs ordered Mr Hill to serve five years and 11 months in federal prison without parole.