DRUG TRAFFICKER GETS ADDITIONAL TIME IN PRISON

POPLAR BLUFF -- A Cape Girardeau man already serving 14 years in prison for cocaine trafficking got an additional 20 year sentence, the Cape Girardeau County prosecutor's office said.

Johnny E. Smith, 28, was given 20 years imprisonment without the option of parole or probation by Butler County Judge Robert Cope on Tuesday, said Scott Lipke, assistant Cape Girardeau prosecutor.

Smith had been sentenced last July by Cape Girardeau County Judge John Grimm to 14 years in prison on separate cocaine trafficking charges, Lipke said.

Smith's sentence this week was more strict since he was classified under state sentencing guidelines as a prior and persistent offender, relating to last year's conviction and a 1996 guilty plea for drug possession.

Judge Cope ordered that the 20 and 14 year sentences should run consecutively, Lipke said.

During his more recent trial, Smith had chosen to act as his own attorney, Lipke said. Nevertheless, the judge appointed a public defender to sit alongside Smith during his trial to offer legal advice as needed. The attorney, Christopher Davis, gave Smith's closing argument.

When Smith was arrested last on Feb. 11, 1999, he had posted a $15,000 bond five days earlier pending his first cocaine trafficking trial, Lipke said.

At that time, Smith had been seen by police officer Dan Seger in the 200 block of south Middle Street, Lipke said. The officer recognized Smith on sight and was aware a warrant had been issued for Smith's arrest.

Seger got out of his patrol car and stopped Smith to arrest him. Smith cooperated. As Seger was putting handcuffs on Smith, he noticed him drop a cigarette wrapper on the ground. Smith covered the wrapper with his foot.

As they started to walk off, Seger recovered the wrapper, which was found to contain 2.6 grams of crack cocaine.