Federal Court 9/21/06

The following information was released by the office of federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway for defendants who appeared in federal court Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey:

SENTENCED

Name: Venito L. Johnson

Age: 30

Residence: Caruthersville, Mo.

Charge: Convicted felony in possession of a firearm.

Sentence: 96 months in prison.

Details: Officers executing a search warrant at Johnson's home May 5, 2005, found a 9 mm pistol that had been reported stolen. In a recorded conversation with a confidential informant, Johnson admitted to possessing the gun and firing it by accident once.

PLEADED GUILTY

Name: Jeffrey Maddox

Age: Unknown

Residence: Bell City, Mo.

Charge: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and maintaining drug-involved premises.

Sentence range: Up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Details: In the summer of 2005, Maddox entered into an agreement with co-defendant Randy Green to obtain meth for distribution. Maddox drove Green to and from Blytheville, Ark., about 10 times to pick up meth. He also made his home and machine shop available for drug deals in October 2005. Sentencing was set for Jan. 8.

The following defendant appeared Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel:

PLEADED GUILTY

Name: Kevin S. Miller

Age: 36

Residence: Scott City

Charge: Convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Sentence range: Up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Details: Miller was caught carrying a .300-caliber rifle Nov. 20, 2004, by a Missouri conservation agent on patrol in Scott County. The agent was checking for people hunting without a license and later learned that Miller was a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. Sentencing is set for Nov. 27.