Woman sentenced for selling drugs

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Texas woman was sentenced to eight years in federal prison in connection with a plot to distribute illegal drugs in Sikeston and the surrounding area.

Kathleen M. Atkinson, 38, of Rhome, Texas, was sentenced Monday to 97 months in prison on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Upon release from prison, Atkinson will be placed on supervised release for four years.

Atkinson admitted that between Jan. 7 and 10, 2004, she and Steven A. Lawrence worked to distribute approximately a pound of methamphetamine in Tennessee and Missouri. The trip came to an end when a search warrant was executed at the Sikeston residence of Connie Floyd. Atkinson, Lawrence and Floyd were arrested at the time.

Lawrence was found in possession of approximately one ounce of methamphetamine. A box containing $7,460 was seized and Lawrence admitted the money was from meth sales, prompting its forfeiture.

Lawrence and Floyd were sentenced in U.S. District Court on the charges in December.