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Galesburg Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in Federal Court
A Galesburg man already serving prison time on federal drug charges is now expected to receive more time behind bars after pleading guilty to additional federal charges.

U-S District Court records indicate 27-year old Gary Mahnesmith,Junior pleaded guilty Friday in Peoria to a felony count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.

A grand jury indictment alleges Mahnesmith would buy cocaine in various amounts between 2006 and 2007 from a number of people, and then attempt to sell it again.

Mahnesmith was arrested originally in August of 2007, after he allegedly drove a car at a Galesburg police officer then fled the scene on foot, but not before the officer fired shots at him.

Mahnesmith pleaded guilty a year ago in that case on charges of Criminal Damage to Property, Fleeing and Eluding, and Intimidation.

He is serving four years in prison on that charge and could face anywhere between 10 years and life when he's sentenced May 8th. Mahnesmith could have been paroled from the Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton as soon as February 19th, according to state corrections document records.

Several others involved in the alleged drug ring are either awaiting sentencing or further court proceedings.


(Gerald "Gary" Mahnesmith, Jr. File Photo from Illinois Department of Corrections)
02 02 09 by Newsroom
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