Jackson man pleads guilty to crack charge

A Jackson man pleaded guilty in federal court in Cape Girardeau to a single felony count of possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute it.

Donald L. Gilmore, 27, fled from Cape Girardeau police Aug. 17 in Capaha Park as officers attempted to stop him after he delivered an ounce of crack cocaine to an informant. As Gilmore was driving from the area, officers saw him throw a white plastic bag from the vehicle, which was recovered and found to contain 51 grams of crack cocaine.

A search of Gilmore's vehicle resulted in the recovery of several small pieces of crack and a small plastic bag containing powder cocaine, a news release from the U.S. attorney's office said.

Gilmore faces up to $4 million in fines and a possible sentence of life in prison. Sentencing was set for March 10 by U.S. District Judge Charles A. Shaw.