Local man pleads guilty

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Charleston man faces a possible 10-year prison term after pleading guilty Monday to weapons charges. Alfred E. Murphy Jr., 38, pled guilty to one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm when he appeared in federal court before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

On Oct. 3, 2001, the Charleston Department of Public Safety was investigating a burglary complaint. Acting on information received, a DPS officer drove to the Murphy residence, where a consent to search was given and the home was searched. The officer found two rifles in the dwelling and Murphy admitted that he had acquired them in exchange for sales of illegal drugs.

Murphy had a prior conviction of selling marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. He now faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Nov. 4.