Charleston man receives prison sentence for drug trafficking

A former Charleston, Mo., man was sentenced Tuesday to 14 1/2 years in prison on drug charges.

Dorian Wells, 29, also known as "Big Heavy," is thought to be a member of a drug ring that primarily distributed crack cocaine to Charleston and Sikeston, Mo.

Wells pleaded guilty in federal court recently to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base and to one felony count of distribution.

U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber handed down a sentence of 175 months in prison on each count, to run concurrently.

According to court records, on June 10, 1999, an undercover law enforcement officer bought 95 grams of cocaine base from David Lee Trainer for $3,500.

Authorities observed Trainer travel to Wells' house at 606 Lee St. in Charleston to get the drugs.

Drugs found

Police searched the home the next day and found 78 grams of cocaine base above the ceiling in the bathroom.

Trainer has pleaded guilty to a felony count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 28.

In a separate case, a Sikeston woman was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to two years in prison for distributing cocaine base.

Court records show that on Feb. 21, Vera Francis Rainey, 47, sold 2.5 grams of cocaine for $300 to a confidential informant. She pleaded guilty to the charge.