Former Howardville police chief arraigned on drug charges

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) -- A former Missouri Bootheel police chief charged with selling and possessing drugs last month now faces federal drug charges.

Former Howardville Police Chief Timothy Collins was arraigned Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau on charges of distribution of a cocaine base. Authorities said the charge stemmed from an incident on Dec. 22, but no additional information was released.

Collins, who lives in New Madrid and owns Jasmine's, a club there, was also charged in state court last month with sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.