Sikeston man sentenced on drug-related charge

SIKESTON, Mo. -- James E. Cooper, 25, of Sikeston, was sentenced Monday on charges of possessing cocaine base with intent to distribute.

Cooper was sentenced by U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber to serve 135 months for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

On May 6, a detective with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to a report of shots fired in the 800 block of Ruth Street. The detective searched for guns at Cooper's home at 808 Ruth St., and found a plastic baggie containing 13.06 grams of crack cocaine. Law enforcement also seized cash, small plastic baggies and marijuana.

The detective obtained a search warrant for Cooper's home and found two sets of digital scales containing cocaine residue. During questioning, Cooper admitted ownership of the crack cocaine found.