Cape Girardeau man pleads guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm | Crime

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) -  A Cape Girardeau man pleaded guilty Wednesday to illegal possession of a firearm.

Antonio Johnson 34, appeared before U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. when he pleaded guilty.

Around midnight on October 9, 2011, the Cape Girardeau Police Department was notified of a fight that had broken out in front of the Billiard Center on North Main Street and that gunshots were fired. When officers arrived, they say Johnson was running north on Main Street and then toward the Cape Girardeau flood wall.

Johnson was arrested and a .380 caliber pistol was found on the street nearby. Police say Johnson tried to dispose of the gun by throwing it over the flood wall, but it bounced off a metal light pole and landed on the street.

Due to previous 2000 conviction for second degree assault, Johnson is prohibited from owning guns. He now faces up to 10 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for October 15.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.