CAPE GIRARDEAU - Four area men appeared in federal court Monday on drug-related charges.
They are Larry D. McCauley, 23, of Charleston; Steven A. Lawrence, 39, of New Madrid; and James C. Baker III, 30, and Michael Woods, 19, of Caruthersville. U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel heard the cases.
McCauley entered a guilty plea to three felony counts of distribution of cocaine base and one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearms.
On March 6, 7 and 10, 2003, McCauley sold cocaine base to a confidential informant employed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Charleston. On March 30, he was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped in Charleston for a traffic violation. The driver of the car was arrested and McCauley was detained at the scene.
According to reports, there was a bag at McCauley's feet in the vehicle. When he exited the vehicle, McCauley was found to be in possession of 1.4 grams of cocaine base and was arrested. The bag contained six firearms.
In 1997, McCauley was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance.
He now faces a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison and a $2 million fine for each of the distribution counts. For possession of firearms, he faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Sept. 28.
This case was investigated by the Charleston Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
When Lawrence appeared in court, he entered a guilty plea to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. With his plea, he admitted that on Jan. 10 a search warrant was executed at a Sikeston residence, at which time Lawrence was also searched. Officers found 5.8 grams of pure methamphetamine in Lawrence's pocket along with $1,008.
Also seized was a blue cooker on the carport of the residence. In the cooler were scales, a screwdriver, several small plastic bags (commonly used for the distribution of drugs), a black box containing $7,360 and other items. The report stated Lawrence had received the methamphetamine from an associate with connections to Texas and the cash represented proceeds from meth sales of Lawrence and the associate.
Lawrence faces a maximum life imprisonment and a $4 million fine, followed by an eight year period of supervised release. Sentencing is set for Sept. 28.
The Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Scott County Sheriff's Department and Drug Enforcement Administration combined their efforts in this investigation.
Baker and Woods were charged with one felony count of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
With their guilty pleas, they admitted that last Feb. 28, law enforcement officers responded to Baker's residence off Highway 164 in Caruthersville, after receiving complaints of a chemical odor. When the officers arrived, they detected an odor associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine and saw Baker run into the residence and leave the door open.
Officers then called for Baker to stop, but he did not. They followed Baker inside the residence and discovered him hiding behind a door. The officers discovered a substance containing methamphetamine base on the floor and around a nearby toilet. Woods tried to flee from the residence by jumping out a window.
The officers secured the residence and applied for a search warrant, which was later executed. A search of the property revealed numerous items related to the manufacture of meth. Baker and Woods admitted that on multiple occasions between October 2003 and Feb. 28 they, along with others engaged in the manufacture of methamphetamine at Baker's residence. Woods received meth from Baker for gathering ingredients, acting as a lookout and providing other assistance during the "cooks."
Baker faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $2 million fine with the court imposing a period of supervised release of at least four years.
Woods faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $1 million fine with the court imposing a period of supervised release of at least three years. They will also be sentenced on Sept. 28.
This case was handled by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bootheel Drug Task Force and Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department.