In Federal Court 6/23/06

The following information was released by the office of U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway for defendants in who appeared in federal court Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

PLEADED GUILTY

Names: Bryon A. Mann, John Allen Mann and Charles F. Wallace.

Ages: 42, 65, and 71, respectively

Residence: The Manns are of Caruthersville, Mo., and Wallace is of East Prairie, Mo.

Charge: Illegally taking Shovelnose Sturgeon and Paddlefish meat and eggs. Bryon Mann also charged with taking an endangered species of fish.

Sentence range: Up to five years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Bryon Mann faces an addition year in prison and $5,000 fine. Sentencing Sept. 25.

Details: All three defendants admitted to catching and selling fish in violation of Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky regulations, which is a violation of the federal Lacey Act.

The following defendants who appeared in federal court Thursday before U.S. District Judge Charles A. Shaw.

PLEADED GUILTY

Name: Christopher S. Scott

Age: 25

Residence: Cape Girardeau

Charge: Possession of a firearm by a felon.

Sentence range: Up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing Sept. 12.

Details: On Feb. 16, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were granted permission by Scott to search his home. There, agents found a 9 mm pistol, which Scott is not allowed to have due to previous felony convictions.

Name: Andrew Leal

Age: 37

Residence: Sikeston, Mo.

Charge: Possession of firearms by a felon.

Sentence range: Fifteen years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing Sept. 12.

Details: A state search warrant executed at Leal's home found marijuana and a 12- and 20-gauge shotgun. Due to previous felony convictions, Leal is not allowed to possess firearms.

Name: Juan P. Ramirez

Age: 25

Residence: Senath, Mo.

Charge: Distribution of methamphetamine.

Sentence range: Up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Sentencing Sept. 12.

Details: Ramirez admitted to selling half an ounce of meth to a confidential informant for $900 on June 29.