State digest 01/25/06

Florida man gets prison for load of marijuana

A truck driver convicted of carrying $2.3 million worth of marijuana in his semi-trailer was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey handed down the sentence Tuesday to Jose A. Toscano, 55, of Florida, for one count of felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, according to a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway's office. While preparing to leave a weigh station Sept. 4, 2004, in Pemiscot County, Toscano granted a state trooper permission to search his trailer. In the middle of a load of bananas, the trooper found 84 bundles of marijuana in plastic wrap, the release stated.

Senate OKs protest limits; bill now goes to House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Senate passed legislation Tuesday restricting protests at funerals in response to a Kansas group that has targeted military funerals around the nation. The bill, modeled after a Kansas law, would prohibit picketing or other protest activities in front of any church, cemetery or funeral establishment from one hour before any funeral until one hour after it. Violators could be charged with misdemeanors subject to fines and jail times that would increase for second-time offenders. Senators passed the bill 31-0. The bill now goes to the House. If signed by the governor, the bill would become law immediately.

Sikeston man pleads guilty to crack charges

A Sikeston, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute. Derrick Atterberry, 20, will be sentenced in April; he is facing a maximum prison sentence of 40 years and a $2 million fine. As Atterberry was being arrested Sept. 23, 2004, he attempted to discard nine small bags of crack cocaine, according to a release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway's office. Police found 20 more small bags of crack cocaine, totaling about 7.24 grams.

Bluff man enters guilty plea in cocaine case

A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man faces up to life in prison and a $4 million fine. Tommy Hardaway pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute. Poplar Bluff police officers were watching Hardaway's home while searching for a fugitive Aug. 11, according to a release from federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway's office. When Hardaway noticed the officers in the front of his house, he tossed a black nylon bag with 18.4 grams of crack cocaine into his backyard. Officers arrested him when he went to retrieve the bag. A subsequent search of Hardaway's home found an additional 16.4 grams of crack cocaine. He will be sentenced April 11.

Three arrested after search of Sikeston home

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Three people were charged after a search of a Sikeston home turned up several guns and drug paraphernalia. The Scott County sheriff's Emergency Response Team served the search warrant at 307 Hardin St. at around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to a new release from the sheriff's department. Herbert F. Moore, 47, of the Hardin Street address, was charged with possession of a controlled substance; bond was $50,000. John W. Hitt, 32, of 405 Moore St. in Sikeston, was arrested on a warrant for distributing controlled substances near schools; his bond was $150,000. Melissa D. Dover, 32, of Morehouse, Mo., was charged with possession of a controlled substance; her bond was $25,000.

8-year-old brings knife to Blanchard Elementary

An 8-year-old boy was cited into juvenile court Tuesday for bringing a spring-loaded knife to school. The 3-inch knife was found on the boy, a student at Blanchard Elementary School, 1839 N. Sprigg St., when he was searched at the principal's office Monday. The boy was sent to the principal's office after acting up in class. "One of these days I'm going to cut someone," the boy said, according to Cape Girardeau police officer Jeff Nichols. The boy was cited into juvenile court on possession of a prohibited weapon.

-- From staff, wire reports