A former member of the Cape Girardeau City Council, Rhettney B. Pierce, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge related to methamphetamine distribution. On Monday, Pierce admitted in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau that he bought methamphetamine with the intent to sell and use it.
Pierce, 55, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He acknowledged purchasing four ounces of meth for $300 on September 26, 2024, from a confidential source cooperating with law enforcement at a hotel in Cape Girardeau. Law enforcement arrested him immediately after he left the hotel room.
According to statements made during his plea agreement, Pierce told investigators he had been using meth habitually since about 2019 and would use it twice daily. He also admitted buying three ounces of meth from the same source the previous month and selling two ounces from that purchase.
The plea agreement further states: “Throughout the interview with law enforcement, he requested a ‘break’ or a ‘favor’ about 20 times, also asking officers to keep the case quiet and give him ‘preferential treatment.’ Pierce, who was a city councilman at the time, told investigators that he was friends with high-ranking law enforcement officials, judges and prominent members of the Cape Girardeau community.”
A subsequent search of Pierce’s home approved by a court led investigators to find additional quantities of meth as well as two handguns.
Pierce is scheduled for sentencing on February 17, 2026. The offense carries potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $1 million.
The Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force conducted this investigation alongside the Cape Girardeau Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton is handling prosecution duties.
