MAN GETS 25 YEARS ON DRUG CHARGE

A Spartanburg Man Was Convicted Of Trafficking Cocaine And Sentenced To 25
Years In Prison Late Tuesday Afternoon

A Spartanburg man was convicted of trafficking cocaine and sentenced to 25
years in prison late Tuesday afternoon.

The jury deliberated about two hours before returning a guilty verdict.

Eugene Wilson Kearns, 37, of Apt. 16-H, 2096 E. Main St., had been charged
with trafficking more than 28 grams of cocaine.

Assistant Solicitor Tommy Wall with the Seventh Circuit Solicitor's Office
said Spartanburg Public Safety units were conducting a checkpoint at the
intersection of Howard and Aden streets on Sept. 4, 2000, when officer Les
Lindsay noticed Kearns did not have on a seat belt.

When Lindsay asked for a driver's license, Kearns could not produce one.
Lindsay said because he smelled alcohol, he attempted to conduct field
sobriety tests on Kearns, who then attempted to run away.

Another officer, Jeff Grant, said he saw Kearns throw away two objects as
he fled. Lindsay took Kearns into custody and directed Officer Toby Bradley
to the items Kearns had discarded, which totaled 41 grams of cocaine.

Kearns must serve 85 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Circuit Judge Derham Cole imposed the mandatory sentence of 25 years and a
fine of $50,000.

Janet Spencer can be reached at 582-4511, Ext. 7222, or janet.spencer@shj.com.