Cape man arrested on firearm, drug charges

Cape Girardeau police arrested a local man Wednesday on suspicion of having two illegal firearms, a bag of methamphetamine and about $3,500.

Sherman Combs, 39, of Cape Girardeau was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Officers responded at 5 a.m. Wednesday to 934 William St. with a search warrant based on a narcotics investigation, according to a probable-cause statement by officer Mike Alford.

"The information also stated Combs was always in possession of a firearm," Alford wrote. "I requested the assistance of the Cape Girardeau Police Department Special Response Team to make entry into the residence and secure the occupants."

As the residence was being secured, Combs made an unsolicited utterance that "all the guns and drugs in the house belong to me," Alford wrote. Another officer found a gun on top of a nightstand. Combs then told officers he had two guns in the residence.

"When I asked Combs how much 'meth' was in the house, Combs seemed confused and asked 'if meth was the same as ice,'" Alford wrote.

Combs later told a federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent he had the firearms to protect his house. The agent asked whether Combs had the guns to protect his drugs.

"No, I know about 922c," Combs said, according to Alford's report. Nine twenty-two C is the federal code for firearms violations.

The items found include one .45-caliber pistol with a round in the chamber; a .22-caliber pistol with its serial number defaced; two plastic bags of methamphetamine; one plastic bag of marijuana; a box of 40 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition; and $3,540, Alford wrote.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

934 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.