In federal court

The following information was released by the office of federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway for defendants appearing in federal court before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry:Pleaded Guilty

Name: Jeff R. Taylor

Age: 33

Residence: Kennett, Mo.

Charge: Three counts of distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base.

Summary: On Aug. 21, Aug 23 and Sept. 13, an informant cooperating with federal, state and local law enforcement purchased crack cocaine from Taylor in Kennett. He now faces a maximum punishment of life in prison and a $4 million fine.

Name: George W. Dawson

Age: 52

Residence: New Madrid, Mo.

Charge: Unlawful possession of a firearm.

Summary: On Nov. 19, New Madrid police officers responded to a complaint about a suspect with a gun near the M&H Package Store on Russell Street. Officers found Dawson sitting on a bench holding a .223 caliber rifle on his lap. Due to his previous felony convictions, Dawson is barred from possessing firearms and now faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

SENTENCEd

Name: Leonard J. Weaver

Age: 26

Residence: Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Charge: Possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute

Sentence: 60 months' imprisonment

Summary: On Oct. 9, Poplar Bluff police executed a search warrant at Weaver's residence on Apple Street, where they found nine individually packaged rocks of crack cocaine on a hallway floor, other rocks of crack cocaine on the floor in other rooms, and a plastic bag in the bathroom commode holding several more individually wrapped crack rocks and 17 plastic bags of powdered cocaine. Weaver admitted to possessing the drugs.

Name: Ronnie D. Taylor

Age: 29

Residence: Kennett, Mo.

Charge: Three counts distributing cocaine base

Sentence: 10 years' imprisonment

Summary: An informant purchased crack cocaine from Taylor on three occasions in 2005.

Name: Simon J. Clark

Age: 30

Residence: Kennett, Mo.

Charge: Three counts distributing cocaine base

Sentence: 84 months' imprisonment

Summary: An informant purchased crack cocaine from Clark on Oct. 28, 2005, Jan. 12, 2006 and April 7, 2006.