Man pleads guilty to felony firearms charge

A Burfordville man who was arrested in August on gun and drug charges faces up to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to unlawfully possessing firearms.

Michael W. Locke, 38, pleaded guilty Monday to one felony count of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, according to a prepared statement issued by federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway's office.

Sentencing has been set for Aug. 27.

On Aug. 10, 2006, deputies from the Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department conducted a search of Locke's residence. The officers found and seized 14 firearms and ammunition.

The search followed Locke's arrest in a methamphetamine raid at a large work shed near Copperhead Lane and Route U near Burfordville.

Officers obtained a search warrant for the shed and found methamphetamine and ingredients for making it.

According to local court records, Locke also faces charges in Cape Girardeau County stemming from the raid.

Locke is charged with two felonies, attempting to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance, and a misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia.

The felony conviction that led to the federal charges against Locke for gun possession took place in Clark County, Mo., early in 2006. He received a seven-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to drug possession.

Locke is being held in Pemiscot County Jail.