CHARLESTON MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES

Three Charleston men pled guilty to drug trafficking in federal court, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Brock E. Smith, 24, and Woodrow Chapman Jr., 23, each pled guilty to three felony crimes. They admitted to conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of cocaine base, aiding and abetting distribution of cocaine base and distribution of more than five grams, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn said.

Smith pled guilty to two counts of distributing over five grams of cocaine base.

John J. Betts, 21, pled guilty to two felonies related to distribution of the drug.

The three men were involved in five separate sales of crack cocaine to undercover officers with the Bootheel Drug Task Force, Hahn said. Altogether, they had sold 212 grams of crack cocaine to undercover officers, the attorney said.

Smith and Chapman face a maximum sentence of life in prison when they appear before U.S. District Court Judge E. Richard Webber on Aug. 28. Betts could receive up to 40 years.