St. Louis man found guilty on drug charge

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Jason M. Warfield, 23, of St. Louis, pled guilty Monday to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Warfield appeared in federal court before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

According to the report, on March 15, 2002, officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety executed a search warrant on Branum Street in Sikeston. Warfield was a passenger in a vehicle which was parked on the premises at the time of the search.

When DPS officers ordered Warfield to place his hands on his head, the suspect reached into his right inside coat pocket and removed a clear plastic bag containing 17.94 grams of crack cocaine. Warfield admitted that he intended to distribute part or off of the cocaine base to another person.

Because he had been previously convicted of a drug felony offense, Warfield now faces a punishment of not less than 10 years and not more than life in prison and a $4 million fine. Sentencings is set for Feb. 3, 2003.