Frohna man pleads guilty to charges

A convicted felon from Perry County pleaded guilty Thursday to unlawfully possessing a firearm and making false statements.

Joseph J. Little, 36, of Frohna, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

In his plea, Little admitted that on Dec. 29, 2000, he agreed to acquire a firearm from B&R Guns and Pawn in Perryville, Mo. Little filled out an ATF form as required and answered "no" to the question asking if he had ever been convicted of a felony.

Little was convicted in 1985 of felony burglary, in 1990 of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and in 1991 of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.

Little now faces a punishment of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of the gun and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for making a false statement. Sentencing was set for Dec. 2.