CAPE GIRARDEAU - One Southeast Missouri man was sentenced to prison on drug charges and another has entered a guilty plea and awaits sentencing. Both men's cases were heard in U.S. District Federal Court on Monday.
Walter Rainey, 48, of Sikeston was sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison on three felony counts of distributing cocaine base. Rainey was found guilty of selling cocaine base, also known as "crack cocaine," to a confidential informant in Sikeston on Jan. 23, Feb. 2 and Feb. 22, 2001.
Portageville resident Telly C. Luster, 28, entered a plea of guilty to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base.
On Aug. 24, a state search warrant was executed at Luster's Portageville residence. During the search, officers located approximately 11.64 grams of cocaine base hidden in a dresser in the bedroom and in the freezer section of the refrigerator. Luster admitted the cocaine base belonged to him.
Luster now faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a $4,000,000 fine. Sentencing is set for May 6.