EAST PRAIRIE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGE

A Mississippi County man pleaded guilty Monday to attempting to manufacture methamphetamine.

Michael W. O'Conner, 36, of East Prairie, Mo., entered the plea to one felony count of attempting to manufacture 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine.

He appeared before U.S. District judge E. Richard Webber in Cape Girar-deau.

On Oct. 15, O'Conner consented to a search of his residence that turned up items used to produce methamphetamine along with more than 100 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.

He faces a maximum punishment of not less than five years nor more than 40 years and up to a $2 million fine, followed by at least a four-year term of supervised release. Sentencing is set for July 15.

O'Conner was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Audrey G. Fleissig.