CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (News First) – A former Cape Girardeau city councilman has been indicted on drug and gun charges.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 54-year-old Rhettney B. Pierce was indicted last week at the federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. The indictment accuses Pierce of possessing more than 50 grams of meth between September 26th and 27th and possessing two nine-millimeter handguns while a user of the illegal drugs. Pierce initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A motion seeking to have Pierce held in jail until his trial says a confidential source working with investigators said Pierce had purchased about four ounces of meth in the previous month and was scheduled to buy more. The confidential source contacted Pierce and the two arranged for the purchase of four more ounces at a Cape Girardeau hotel on September 26th according to the news release. Pierce paid $300 and was arrested immediately after leaving the hotel room. Investigators say they found more meth and the two handguns in a court-approved search of Pierce’s home.
