Portageville man sentenced on firearms charge

A Portageville, Mo., man was sentenced Monday eight and a half years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Buddy W. Newsom, 36, appeared before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber, charged as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

On Nov. 12, 2000, Missouri State Conservation Agents found Newsom with a loaded Marlin .30-.30 caliber rifle at a deer camp in Carter County, Mo.

Since Newsom had previously been convicted of 14 felony offenses, including seven burglaries and one conviction for escape from confinement, he is prohibited from handling a gun.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lerry H. Ferrell prosecuted the case.