Marble Hill man pleads to firearms charge

James W. Mathena, 37, of Marble Hill, Mo., pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearms. He appeared before U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton in Cape Girardeau.

Bollinger County officers searched his home June 11, and five firearms were discovered. Mathena was previously convicted in 1989 of distribution of methamphetamine and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. He was also convicted in 1999 of felony driving while intoxicated. He is an armed career criminal according to U.S. sentencing guidelines and now faces up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was set for May 24.