Jail Sentence For SE MN Woman Caught With 1.3 Pounds of Cocaine

Winona, MN (KROC-AM News) - A woman convicted of charges connected to a major drug bust in southeastern Minnesota has been given a jail sentence.

According to the charges in the case, 49-year-old Tonya Sherrice McCain was arrested last December after she was caught in possession of a large amount of cocaine and a handgun. Court documents say the arrest occurred following the execution of search warrants for her residence in Winona, her vehicle, and her person.

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The criminal complaint says Winona police stopped her vehicle after she was seen leaving her apartment moments before the search of the residence got underway. Inside the apartment, investigators located a handgun, along with almost 620 grams of cocaine.

The search also led to the discovery of two digital scales, the money counting machine, plastic packaging commonly used for drugs, along with $8000 in cash. The charges also state that McCain had an additional 13 grams of cocaine and $1000 cash in her purse.

Court records show that she previously entered guilty pleas to third-degree drug possession and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

McCain was sentenced this week to 60 days in jail with a stayed five year prison sentence that she could be ordered to serve if she fails to abide by the terms of her probation over the next five years. The sentence is a downward departure from state guidelines, which call for five years in prison for the weapons violation.

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