Region digest 04/20/06

Cape native to be on 'Live with Regis and Kelly'

When the rock group Toto appears on "Live with Regis and Kelly" this morning, an area native will be in tow. Tony Spinner, formerly of Cape Girardeau, has been playing with the band as a touring guitarist for several years. He'll appear as the band plays to promote its new album. Friends and family wanting to get a good look at Spinner on TV should be warned -- because he's not an official Toto member, just a guest musician, his face may not be shown on camera much. "Live" airs at 9 a.m. on KFVS12.

Judge gives man in child porn case 60 years

A 60-year prison sentence was handed down in federal court Wednesday for a Wayne County man convicted of having more than 600 images of child pornography. Kenneth R. Johnson, 46, of Williamsville, Mo., received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. Johnson had been convicted of two counts of felony production of child pornography, felony transportation of child pornography and felony possession of child pornography. Officers found the images on Johnson's laptop computer during a search of his home June 21, a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway said. Johnson admitted transporting images of child pornography from the Internet to his hard drive and taking explicit photographs of children younger than 12 years old.

Kennett man face 10 years on gun charge

A Kennett, Mo., man pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and faces up to 10 years in federal prison. George C. Banks, 44, entered his plea Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel, according to a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway. When confronted by a police officer at his home June 25, 2003, Banks admitted he had a 12-gauge shotgun behind a chest of drawers in his bedroom, the release stated. Banks is not allowed to possess guns due to previous felony convictions. When sentenced June 26, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

-- From staff reports