Springfield, Ill. – Danny Sidener Jr., age 28, of Taylorville, Illinois, was sentenced today to 141 months in federal prison for supplying at least five kilograms of cocaine for distribution in Springfield and central Illinois from 2004 to October 2005. Rodger A. Heaton, United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, announced that U.S. District Judge Jeanne E. Scott found Sidener accountable for distribution of 18.91 kilograms of cocaine as a result of the conspiracy.

Sidener had pled guilty on October 16, 2006, to the four offenses charged by a federal grand jury in November 2005: conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine; distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine; use of a telephone to facilitate a drug offense; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

During his change of plea hearing, Sidener admitted that he profited financially from his conspiracy with Michael Mohan, Peter Sidener, Earl Sidener and others to distribute powder cocaine in central Illinois. Sidener admitted he obtained a supply of more than five kilograms of cocaine from outside the Springfield area, and thereafter sold or “fronted” it on a consignment basis to others for distribution. On October 28, 2005, Sidener used a cellular telephone to arrange his delivery of approximately 1,500 grams of powder cocaine to co-conspirator Michael Mohan’s home in the 1200 block of Leland Avenue. A federal search warrant was subsequently executed at the residence and the cocaine was recovered. Sidener was arrested following the cocaine delivery on October 28, 2005. During a search of his vehicle, law enforcement officers found a 9mm revolver and 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

A final order of forfeiture regarding various parcels of real estate in Springfield and Taylorville will be issued by Judge Scott at a later date. Danny Sidener had previously agreed to criminal forfeiture of properties derived from proceeds of the criminal offenses including two properties in Taylorville - 905 West Waco and 816 West Franklin, and five in Springfield - 610 South Illinois; 2307 South 12 Street; and, 2315, 2319, and 2323 South Sixth Street.

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 by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Risley.