Region briefs 4/6/07

Cape man arraigned in drive-by shooting case

A Cape Girardeau man on probation for selling drugs, burglary and theft was arraigned in Jackson court Monday on new charges in a drive-by shooting that resulted in a foot wound. Nathaniel C. Smith, 20, of 430 Sheridan Dr., Apt. 8-K, is charged with shooting a gun from a motor vehicle at a person, armed criminal action and first-degree assault for the March 11 attack on a Caruthersville, Mo., man. Smith has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 2 before Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp. If convicted of all charges, Smith could face up to 45 years in prison.

Former TV reporter's trial set for April 19

A former KFVS12 television reporter is scheduled for a trial setting April 19 in Scott County circuit court. Tiffany Sisson, 34, of Oran, Mo., has been charged with stealing more than $20,000 between March 1, 2006, and Nov. 20 while she was the guardian/conservator of an estate. Associate Circuit Judge Mark Horman March 21 approved a change of judge to Mississippi Associate Circuit Judge T. Lynn Brown. Brown requested the upcoming trial setting on March 26. Sisson was arrested Feb. 26 and posted a $20,000 bond. If convicted of the felony stealing charge, Sisson could spend up to seven years in prison.

May 2 hearing set for Scott Co. Jail employee

A Scott County Jail employee charged with two counts of attempting to tamper with a witness has a May 2 preliminary hearing scheduled. Sarina R. Watkins, 29, of Sikeston, Mo., is out on a $10,000 bond. According to the probable-cause statement and chief deputy Tom Beardslee, Watkins tried to influence witnesses in a case involving a jail inmate she had a relationship with. Watkins was arraigned Tuesday.

Men in hoax terror plot to be arraigned Monday

Two Jackson men charged with making a terrorist threat have arraignment dates at circuit court in Jackson on Monday after being bound over for trial last month. Police say Duane H. Haffner, 23, and Leotis S. Allen, 21, threatened to bomb the Jackson courthouse in February in an effort to get police to tackle one of them so they could file a lawsuit. According to the probable-cause statement, Haffner called Jackson police anonymously, saying he had information that a black man walking with a limp would be taking a bomb to the county courthouse in Jackson. Haffner described the man's clothing and said he would be concealing a bomb in his shoe, the statement said. Police said Haffner admitted to police he made the call at the direction of Allen, who provided him with a phone card and written directions on what to say. Both will appear before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis.

Traffic stop catches man carrying meth

A Jackson man was charged Wednesday with felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to signal a turn, police said. Jackson police stopped Andrew R. McLendon, 23, Wednesday after witnessing a turn signal violation, said Jackson police Lt. Rodney Barnes. McLendon gave permission to search his person, where Barnes said about 1 gram of methamphetamine was found in his pants waistband. McLendon faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 30 years and one year, 15 days in jail if convicted on all counts. Bond was set at $20,000. McLendon was in custody in Cape Girardeau County Jail on Thursday.

-- From staff reports