Around Southeast Missouri 12/15/06

Judge to decide if teen will be tried as adult

DEXTER, Mo. -- A 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a 64-year-old man appeared alongside his parents before Judge Joe Z. Satterfield this week. The judge said he expected to issue a ruling on whether the boy will be tried as an adult in the death of Don McCollough before Tuesday.

-- The Daily Statesman

Pemiscot County holds No. 1 rank in offenders

PEMISCOT, Mo. -- Pemiscot County ranks number one out of the 115 Missouri counties for offenders sentenced to prison per 100 people, said Prosecuting Attorney Mike Hazel. As of November 2006, the county has 293 offenders in state prisons. Hazel's office is responsible for prosecuting all the cases in the county.

-- Democrat Argus

Malden dance club raided, drugs seized

MALDEN, Mo. -- Four people were arrested after police raided the Social Club and Dance Hall, 217 S. Madison St., Sunday. The raid occurred about 2 a.m. Police confiscated illicit drugs and alcoholic beverages as people rushed for the doors, police said. The facility did not have a liquor license. Owner George E. Reed was issued a warrant for selling intoxicating liquor without a license. After posting $15,000 bond, he was released from Dunklin County Jail at Kennett.

-- The Daily Dunklin Democrat

Two sentenced for federal meth charges

Two Butler County men were sentenced in federal court this week for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Charles H. Lester Jr., 54, of Nellyville and Billy R. Patterson, 36, of Poplar Bluff were sentenced on one felony count each of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine by U.S. District Judge Charles Shaw. Lester was sentenced Tuesday to 188 months' imprisonment followed by a five-year supervised release and Patterson was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment Monday followed by a three-year supervised release.

-- Daily American Republic