In federal court 5/23/08

The office of federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway released the following item:

pleaded guilty

Name: Alan R. Gerecke

Residence: Fruitland

Charge: Manufacturing marijuana and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Summary: Gerecke admitted growing marijuana outdoors at his residence and business and indoors at his residence. Officers of the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol seized 265 marijuana plants, approximately one pound of processed marijuana, grow lights, planting materials, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia and six firearms and ammunition.

Sentencing: Aug. 19 in St. Louis.