Charleston man found guilty on drug charge

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Charleston man was sentenced to prison on drug charges in U.S. District Court Tuesday.

Larry D. McCauley, 23, was sentenced to 46 months on three felony counts of distribution of cocaine base and one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearms. U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel handed down the sentence.

On March 6, 7 and 10, 2003, McCauley sold cocaine base in Charleston to a confidential informant employed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

He was a passenger in a vehicle in Charleston that was stopped on March 30, for a traffic violation. The driver of the car was arrested and McCauley was detained at the scene. Inside the vehicle was a bag by McCauley's feet. When he exited the car, he was found to be in possession of 1.4 grams of cocaine base and was arrested. The bag contained six firearms.

McCauley was convicted in 1997 for felony possession of a controlled substance.