Bootheel residents sentenced Monday

A New Madrid County man was sentenced in Cape Girardeau to federal prison on a meth charge.

Richard Dale Mullins, 24, of Portageville was sentenced Monday to 151 months in prison on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and ordered to forfeit $2,440 in drug proceeds. Upon release from prison, Mullins will be placed on supervised release for a period of three years.

Previously with his plea, Mullins admitted that on Jan. 6, 2008, he was the driver of a car stopped by a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer for a traffic violation in New Madrid County. A consent search of the vehicle disclosed 10 small plastic bags containing methamphetamine, $2,440 and marijuana concealed in the door panel of the vehicle. Mullins advised officers that he had been buying about an ounce of methamphetamine a month since July 2007 and that he had been selling some and using some.

A Hayti man was also sentenced Monday for possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute.

Ronald Lee Johnson, 22, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 15 years imprisonment on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base.

On Nov. 30, Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whitely stopped the vehicle Johnson was driving near the intersection of North 5th Street and Oak Street in Poplar Bluff for a traffic violation. During a search of the vehicle conducted incident to Johnson's arrest, Poplar Bluff officers discovered over 220 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 125 grams of cocaine powder, and a set of digital scales located in the center console of the vehicle.