Sikeston residents enter guilty pleas

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Two Sikeston residents entered guilty pleas to federal charges of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Percy Baker Jr., 32, and Michael J. Grannan, 46, pled guilty in separate cases to being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Both appeared before U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton Monday in Cape Girardeau.

Baker was a passenger in a car stopped for a traffic violation on Aug. 19, 2003. During a search of the vehicle, a 9 millimeter, semi-automatic pistol was found under the front seat. The pistol, which was stolen, was loaded with six rounds of ammunition.

Initially all occupants of the vehicle denied the pistol belonged to them. However, two days later Baker contacted police and admitted to possession of the pistol.

Baker, who was convicted in 2001 in New Madrid County of unlawful use of a weapon, now faces maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Nov. 15.

Grannan's charge stems from an incident Aug. 7, 2002, following a complaint from a local retail store. Officers contacted Grannan, who gave officers permission to search his temporary residence at a room in a house on Greer Street. During the search, officers found a Jennings model J-22, .22 caliber semi-automatic in a dresser drawer in the room.

Grannan, who was previously convicted in Tarrant County, Texas, for felony possession of a controlled substance in 1988, in 1994 of felony theft, and in 1998 of felony possession of a controlled substance; faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Nov. 15.

U.S. Attorney James G. Martin praised the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their work in the cases.