Springfield, Ill. – Earl V. Sidener, age 28, of 1133 North Virginia, Springfield, Illinois, was sentenced today to 120 months (10 years) in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of powder cocaine in the Springfield area from January 2004 to October 2005, as announced by Rodger A. Heaton, United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois.

Sidener pled guilty in September 2006 to the three offenses charged by a federal grand jury in November 2005: conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine (one count); attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine (one count); and use of a telephone to facilitate a drug offense (one count.)

Sidener admitted obtaining an ongoing supply of cocaine, in repeated half and quarter kilogram amounts over a period of years, from Danny Sidener, Jr., on a “front” or consignment basis. Earl Sidener admitted storing the cocaine at his home or at rental storage facilities and selling it to others for further distribution.

The charges resulted from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield Police Department, the Illinois State Police and the Central Illinois Enforcement Group. The government was represented in court today by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Risley.