FORMER ALL-STATE BASKETBALL PLAYER FACES DRUG CHARGE

CHARLESTON -- A former all-state basketball star who played briefly at Southeast Missouri State University has been charged with trafficking cocaine, police said.

Jeramy Biles, 22, of Charleston was arrested by police last week at his residence during a search for narcotics, Charleston Police Chief Richard Couch said.

Police had obtained a search warrant for Biles' residence after receiving information that a large amount of cocaine was being kept there. About 40 grams of what appeared to be crack cocaine was discovered, police said.

He was charged with second-degree trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.

Biles was a two-time Class 3A first-team all-state selection at Charleston. He averaged nearly 19 points per game as a senior in helping lead the Charleston Blue Jays to the state championship with a 33-1 record in 1995-96.

He played briefly for St. Louis University before transferring to Southeast Missouri State. He left Southeast's basketball team in January 1999, citing personal and family needs.

Biles remained Monday in custody in the Mississippi County Detention Center under $100,000 bond.

A 19-year-old woman arrested with Biles was released pending charges, Couch said.