Staff Reports
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to drug and weapon-related offenses.
Nicholas Gehrig Kemp, 36, pleaded guilty to the felonies of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
With his plea, Kemp admitted that on Feb. 12, 2017, he was arrested by Poplar Bluff Police officers, who were conducting an unrelated investigation into a stolen license plate.
Officers reportedly seized a 9mm pistol and 12 ounces of methamphetamine from Kemp after encountering him at a local motel during the course of that investigation.
After accepting Kemp's plea, Limbaugh set his sentencing for Oct. 2.
At that time, Kemp faces a maximum punishment of 40 years of imprisonment and a fine up to $1 million on the drug charge and a maximum sentence of life for possession of the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.
Kemp's case was investigated by the Poplar Bluff Police Department, SEMO Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy J. Willis handled the prosecution for the government.