Cape Girardeau man pleads guilty

A Cape Girardeau man pleaded guilty Monday to two felony counts of distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base and to one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base.

Christopher Sparks, 20, appeared before U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton.

On July 9, 2003, Sparks transferred 10.4 grams of cocaine base to a undercover police officer near the 500 block of South Benton Street in Cape Girardeau in exchange for $400.

On July 18, he transferred 7.8 grams of cocaine base near the 800 block of Morgan Oak Street to an undercover officer in exchange for $350.

On March 5, Sparks was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police on a city street. While a city police officer was attempting to pat him down, a plastic bag containing several white rocks fell out of Sparks' left pant leg onto the ground. The bag contained 25.5 grams of cocaine base.

Sparks faces a maximum punishment of 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine on each count. He will be sentenced Nov. 15.