Court briefs 10/26/05

Two men get six years for crack distribution

Two Cape Girardeau men were sentenced on Monday to nearly six years in federal prison for distribution of crack cocaine. Both appeared before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber. Adrian M. Brown, 22, was sentenced to 70 months on one felony count of distribution of cocaine base. He pleaded guilty and admitted that on Aug. 30, 2002, he distributed 6.5 grams of crack cocaine to a confidential informant and an undercover officer in exchange for $300. The sale occurred on Jefferson Avenue in Cape Girardeau. Tanarius Twiggs, 26, was sentenced to 70 months on two felony counts of distribution of cocaine base. He pleaded guilty and admitted that on April 4, 2003, he distributed 1.9 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in exchange for $200. On April 11, 3003, the undercover officer purchased 6.7 grams of crack cocaine for $400. Both incidents occurred at a residence in Cape Girardeau. Assistant federal prosecutor Abbie Crites-Leoni handled the prosecution for the government.

Man faces life for marijuana distribution

A prior offender faces up to life in prison for distribution of marijuana. Randall L. Doan, 42, was charged on Monday and is being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond for one felony count of distribution of marijuana and one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. On Oct. 18, he reportedly sold a half-ounce of marijuana to an undercover officer in exchange for $50. The incident occurred at Doan's residence at 1400 S. Kingshighway Apt. 36 in Perryville, Mo. On a prior offense, Doan pleaded guilty in the circuit court of Polk County, Fla., to possession of marijuana in December 1998.

Jackson man pleads not guilty to rape charges

Juan Thomas, 26, of Jackson pleaded not guilty on Monday to rape charges. A case review for Nov. 14 is scheduled before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis. Thomas was charged on Sept. 18 with one count of felony forcible rape and one count of felony statutory rape. He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. He allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl who was baby-sitting in his apartment complex.

Man pleads not guilty to child molestation

William C. Braddy, 41, of Fredericktown, Mo., pleaded not guilty for child molestation charges on Friday before Judge Michael Bullerdieck in Perry County. Braddy requested a change of venue on Tuesday. A case review is scheduled for Nov. 18 before Circuit Judge William Syler. Braddy was charged on Sept. 18 with one count of felony child molestation and is being held on a $25,000 cash-only bond. He allegedly molested a girl under 12 years old sometime between 2000 and 2001.

Warrant issued for Jonesboro, Ill., woman

An arrest warrant was issued on Monday for Elizabeth M. Hayden, 30, of Jonesboro, Ill. She failed to appear for a preliminary hearing before Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp, who set a $3,000 cash-only bond. Hayden was charged on Sept. 27 with one felony count of forgery. Police siad she and three other people had been caught on video surveillance at the Wal-Mart in Jackson, buying items with stolen checks.

Three drug trafficking suspects face hearings

Three suspects arrested during a drug bust faced preliminary hearings on Tuesday before Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp. On Sept. 30, police arrested five suspects at 927 Jefferson Ave., where they discovered evidence of manufacturing crack cocaine. Charges were dropped against Charles A. Wiseman, 30, of Cape Girardeau, for one felony count of trafficking drugs and one felony count of manufacturing drugs. Judge Kamp ruled that not enough evidence was presented to determine probable cause. Brent S. Johnson, 19, and Anthony R. Bell, 21, were bound over to circuit court and scheduled for arraignment on Nov. 7. Both were charged with one felony count of trafficking drugs.

-- From staff reports