POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Butler County Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Smith sentenced a Cape Girardeau man Tuesday for burglary and attempting to manufacture methamphetamine for trying to cook the controlled substance in a Cape Girardeau Sonic Drive-In restaurant in December.

Dennie L. Bratcher, 27, who pleaded guilty to the charges last month, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, although the court retained jurisdiction on the defendant for 120 days.

"If [the judge] gets a good report after the defendant goes through the drug treatment program in prison, he intends to bring the defendant back from prison and suspend the execution of the 14-year sentence," said Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

Bratcher, a former shift manager at Sonic, previously at 2126 Broadway, was arrested Dec. 10 after officers responded to the restaurant to find him attempting to cook a batch of methamphetamine in the kitchen.

At the scene, police officers found a bag on the floor that contained plastic bottles and tubing -- materials used to make the controlled substance.

"We feel incredibly fortunate that judge Smith gave Mr. Bratcher an opportunity to address a substantial drug addiction through treatment in the department of corrections, along with the opportunity to prove that he will be a law-abiding citizen and not a burden to society," said Bratcher's attorney, Ted Liszewski. "Should he not meet that obligation, the judge has ensured he will reside in the Department of Corrections well into middle age."

The Sonic restaurant on Broadway closed Jan. 31 for financial reasons.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

2126 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO