Court briefs 4/27/06

Illinois man pleads guilty to selling drugs

An Illinois man admitted in federal court to selling $1,200 worth of cocaine in the parking lot of a Sikeston, Mo., mall. Before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber, Vincent Grays, 35, of Carbondale, Ill., pleaded guilty Monday to possession of more than 50 grams of cocaine base with intent to distribute. Grays admitted that on Jan. 21, he sold a confidential informant 51.6 grams of cocaine for $1,200 in the Goody's parking lot in Sikeston, according to a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway. Grays could face life imprisonment and a $4 million fine when sentenced July 24, the release stated.

Bootheel man facing 20 years in prison

A 36-year-old man entered a guilty plea this week to two federal counts of distribution of cocaine. Cory Rowe, of Howardville, Mo., entered his plea Monday before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber, according to a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway. The defendant admitted that he sold 4.6 grams of cocaine base for $260 to a confidential informant on March 18, 2005, the release stated. Four days later, he sold 2.4 grams of cocaine base for $250 to the confidential informant. Both sales occurred in his New Madrid County home. Rowe was scheduled to be sentenced July 24. He could face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Guilty plea entered; meth found in home

A Stoddard County man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Barry W. Condict, 48, entered his plea in front of U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber, according to a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway. Condict admitted that 29.2 grams of meth found in his home Oct. 2 during a search was his, and the day before he had given a small amount to an informant, the release stated. The defendant was scheduled to be sentenced July 24, where he could face up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

Sikeston man sentenced on weapons charge

A man caught with a pistol during an arrest was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm by a felon Tuesday. Ricky Mixon, 21, of Sikeston, Mo., is not allowed to possess firearms due to previous felony convictions. During an arrest Oct. 10, 2003, in Sikeston, an officer saw Mixon throw a .25-caliber pistol from his clothes onto the ground, according to a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway's office.

Woman with handgun receives split sentence

A Memphis woman caught with a pistol while using controlled substances was sentenced in federal court Tuesday. Kristy J. Turnage, 26, received a spilt sentence of eight months in prison and eight months of home confinement for possession of a firearm while an unlawful user of a controlled substance, according to a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway. Turnage was a passenger in a vehicle on Dec. 29, 2002, when it was pulled over for speeding in New Madrid County. During a consented search of the vehicle, a .380-caliber pistol was found, and Turnage admitted it was hers.

Sentences handed down in burglary cases

Two Scott County men who admitted to burglarizing a New Madrid County home and stealing several guns were sentenced Tuesday in federal court. U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber sentenced Jessie L. Mercer, 28, to 188 months in prison and Jonathan R. Ward, 29, to 21 months in prison. Mercer was charged with illegal possession of firearms by a felon and Ward was charged with possession of stolen firearms, according to a news release from the office of federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway. Both defendants admitted to stealing seven firearms from a New Madrid County home on May 31, the release stated.

-- From staff reports