Region digest 03/26/03

Route V construction work leads to bypass

Traffic on Route V south of Highway 177 in Cape Girardeau County will be switched to a bypass today while work continues on reconstruction of Route V, state highway officials said.

The $537,443 project includes a quarter-mile of reconstruction of Route V from the intersection and turn lanes on Highway 177, three lanes of concrete pavement on Route V and concrete entrances to Procter & Gamble's trailer drop-lot and an adjacent industrial area.

The Route V bypass will be open to local traffic only for the duration of the construction project with a short length of the bypass restricted to one lane of traffic.

Bob Wilson, Missouri Department of Transportation resident engineer, said the road work began in January and should be completed by midsummer.

Two Cape men plead to meth conspiracy

Two Cape Girardeau men pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to methamphetamine-related charges.

James A. Furr pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Scott E. Smith pleaded guilty to maintaining a place for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Both appeared before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber.

Furr now faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Smith faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Sentencing for both men was set for June 23.

A search warrant served Nov. 26 at Smith's residence at 603 Timon Way yielded several items, including a jar containing 144.9 grams of meth and another jar containing 24.3 grams of pseudoephedrine. Two pistols, a rifle and ammunition were also seized. A search of Furr's person resulted in the discovery of more than 4 grams of meth wrapped in foil and $2,900 in his wallet.

Caruthersville man pleads to meth charge

Michael E. Pounds, 43, of Caruthersville, Mo., pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He appeared before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber.

Pounds faces up to 30 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Sentencing was set for June 23.

With his plea, Pounds admitted that on Oct. 2, a search warrant executed at his rural residence at 3129 Highway 164 East resulted in the seizure of several items related to the manufacture of the drug.-- From staff reports

PB volleyball player attacked before game

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff authorities are searching for a man who allegedly followed a volleyball player into a bathroom and attacked her.

As the seventh-grade Poplar Bluff Junior High team was finishing game two of its match against Twin Rivers, the 14-year-old victim, dressed in her uniform, went to use the rest room before her game, according to police detective Gary Pride.

The attack occurred at about 6:30 p.m., just as the victim was leaving a stall. The player resisted, said detective Jeff Rolland, which "bought her enough time until the maintenance worker came in."

The maintenance worker startled the man, who fled the scene, Rolland said.

The victim was taken to Three Rivers Healthcare-North Campus, where she was treated and released.

Pride said police have a suspect, but he "doesn't have a steady address. He floats around. We've been working his known acquaintances."

Steele man found hanging in jail cell

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A Steele, Mo., man held on drug and weapon charges was found hanging in his cell Monday night.

Sheriff Tommy Greenwell said Jason Jarred, 29, had used a bed sheet to hang himself from an air vent.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Pemiscot County Hospital in Hayti, Mo. Jarred's body will be taken to Farmington, Mo., for an autopsy.

Greenwell said the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control will conduct an independent investigation.