Charleston man given 20 years in prison for drug conviction

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A judge sentenced a Charleston man to 20 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Zecoby Moore, 25, was sentenced to the Department of Corrections by Judge David Dolan on Tuesday.

Moore has four prior felony convictions for nonsupport and a felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance, according to Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd.

"Since this will be his third remand to the Department of Corrections, Mr. Moore should serve approximately 60 percent, or 12 years of his 20-year sentence, prior to being eligible to release," said Boyd. "Unfortunately, one can never tell if the Missouri Department of Corrections will actually follow the statutes as to sentencing of what the department considers nonviolent offenders."

Moore was found guilty on Jan. 14 after a jury deliberated only 18 minutes before returning with their verdict.

Moore was arrested March 9, 2010, following an undercover narcotics investigation by the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. During their investigation, officers observed Moore meet with two suspects believed to be trafficking in crack cocaine.

Initially, officers could not find powder cocaine on Moore, who was placed in the Sikeston "paddy wagon," according to a news release issued by Boyd. However, after being placed in the vehicle, an officer found a bag containing crack cocaine in the adjacent stall to where Moore was sitting. Officials noted the bag was not in the vehicle prior to Moore being secured inside.

During an interview with officers, Moore admitted he had arranged to purchase five grams of powder cocaine, according to Assistant Scott County Prosecutor Andrew Lawson, who tried the case. "Unfortunately for the defendant," Lawson said, "he picked a very bad time to pick up powder cocaine from his supplier."

Lawson went on to praise the work by local law enforcement agencies in the case, which not only led to the conviction of Moore but the two other suspects, who were tried in federal court for aiding and abetting the sale of a controlled substance.

Pertinent address:

Charleston, MO