Federal court briefs 1/26/06

New Madrid man gets seven years for drugs

A New Madrid, Mo., man was sentenced to 85 months in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine-making drugs. Kenny Lynn Tollison, 42, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey for one felony count of possession of pseudoephedrine knowing it would be used to manufacture meth, and one count of possession of a firearm. Sikeston, Mo., detectives received a call May 1, 2004, reporting a "suspicious purchase" of pseudoephedrine, according to a news release from the office of federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway. Tollison was arrested during a traffic stop in Sikeston where five boxes of pseudoephedrine pills were found. In a later search of Tollison's home, firearms and items related to manufacturing meth were found, according to the release.

St. Louis man arrested in Cape pleads guilty

A St. Louis, Mo., man arrested last year in Cape Girardeau pleaded guilty to attempting to manufacture methamphetamine. When the SEMO Drug Task Force arrested Joseph L. Figliolo, 44, March 12 in Cape Girardeau, several pseudoephedrine pills tumbled out of his pants, a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway stated. Before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Tuesday, Figliolo pleaded guilty to attempt to manufacture meth and to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture meth. He could receive up to life in prison and a $4 million fine when sentenced April 11, the release stated.

Scott County man pleads guilty to drug charge

A 35-year-old man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Donald Smith, of Scott County, faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine for the charge, a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway stated. Smith was stopped March 31 on U.S. 62 in rural Scott County by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper. A search of the vehicle turned up 8.2 grams of methamphetamine, and Smith told the authorities he had planned to sell the drug.

Man pleads guilty to illegal firearm possession

Cody D. Marks pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition. Marks, 24, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was arrested Sept. 23, 2004, by Poplar Bluff police for having a pistol is his home. As Marks has previous felony convictions, he is forbidden to possess firearms. When sentenced April 11, Marks could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to a news release from federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway's office.

Poplar Bluff man pleads guilty to drug charge

A man caught with four ounces of crystal methamphetamine and nearly $2,000 in cash inside his Poplar Bluff, Mo., home pleaded guilty to possession and intent to distribute. Joe A. Rodriguez, 26, who entered his plea Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey, was arrested Oct. 27 and told officers he had been buying meth out of state and selling it in Southeast Missouri, a release from federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway's office stated. The defendant could receive life imprisonment and a $4 million fine when sentenced April 11.

Ark. man pleads guilty to unlawful drug possession

An Arkansas man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to unlawful possession of pseudoephedrine. Dennis L. Myrick Jr., of Gosnell, Ark., entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey, admitting to accepting 2,500 pills from a Bootheel Drug Task Force informant on July 1 in Kennett, Mo. When sentenced April 11, Myrick could receive up to 20 years in prison and a $2 million fine, according to a news release from the office of federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway.

-- From staff reports