Jackson man pleads guilty to drug, gun charges | Crime

JACKSON, MO (KFVS) - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced Tuesday a Jackson man pleaded guilty to gun and drug charges.

Gregory T. Taylor, 34, pleaded guilty to on felony county of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and one felony county of possession of a gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He appeared before the U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey.

According to the attorney's office, on Nov. 4, federal and local officers executed a search warrant at Taylor's home on Hanover Street in Cape Girardeau where they found about 14 pounds of marijuana, digital scales, zip lock bags and a .22 caliber handgun. They say Taylor consented to the search of another apartment he was renting on West End Blvd. in Jackson, Mo. Officers say during a search of that apartment, authorities found the 9 mm. They say Taylor admitted that he was planning to sell the marijuana to other people.

Taylor now faces a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of the marijuana. He also faces a punishment of not less than five years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of a gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These sentences must run consecutively under federal law. Sentencing has been set for April 17, 2012.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith D. Sorrell is handling the prosecution for the government.

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