Region briefs 8/7/03

Perryville felon pleads to illegally possessing guns

A Perryville, Mo., man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Shawn Galeski, 26, also agreed to forfeit seven guns. He appeared before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey in Cape Girardeau.

On Dec. 31, Perry County deputies served Galeski with an ex parte order of protection at his home. He was told to not possess any firearms after the service of the order. Galeski then took several guns from his bedroom and placed them in his grandmother's bedroom. The officers made a list of the guns.

On Jan. 6, officers went back to the home and were given permission to take the guns. Later Galeski filled out a form, requesting their return, and listed himself as the owner.

Galeski was previously convicted in 2002 of felony distribution of marijuana. He now faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was set for Nov. 5.

Expect weekend traffic delays on Highway 25

Traffic along Highway 25 near Jackson and Gordonville could be delayed up to 10 to 15 minutes Friday, Saturday and Monday as workers resurface the road.

A section of the highway will be reduced to one lane from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily until the maintenance project is completed.

APAC has been contracted to do the work.

The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling in the area.

Former soldier sentenced for role in Ecstasy ring

A former Army Special Forces soldier from Tennessee will spend more than three years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute Ecstasy in Butler County.

Tuesday's sentencing in Cape girardeau of Keith James Windham, 31, of Clarksville, Tenn., made him the third man to go to federal prison in connection with the distribution of Ecstasy locally in 2001.

The cases involving these three men are the "first federal prosecution of Ecstasy in the Southeast Missouri district," according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn.

As a result of that prosecution, Windham will spend 37 months in prison after he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey. He had earlier pleaded guilty as charged to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as Ecstasy.

Two businessmen arrested in cocaine probe

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- An avenue for cocaine into Southeast Missouri has been shut down with the arrest of five men, including Poplar Bluff's City Cable sales and marketing director and an area car salesman, according to authorities.

The SEMO Drug Task Force set up surveillance in Dexter at a car dealership on Friday at about 4 p.m. after receiving information that car salesman Matt Mauldin would be purchasing cocaine, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Chris Graves.

Authorities followed Mauldin, 33, of Poplar Bluff to a convenience store in Dexter and " located about one-half ounce of cocaine on his person," Graves said. He was then arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Further investigation brought information that Boyce Ray "Bo" Holt II, City Cable sales and marketing director, would also be receiving cocaine and surveillance was set up at his residence, said Task Force Officer Scott Johnston.

Holt, 49, of Poplar Bluff, was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance. During his interview he identified other co-conspirators, Johnston said.

Also arrested as a result of the investigation were Timothy Matthew Frazier, 37, and Joseph L. Jameson, 26, both of Poplar Bluff, and an unnamed distributor from Memphis, Tenn., Graves said.

-- From staff, wire reports