Peoria, Ill. - A 30-year-old Bloomington man, Larry J. Caffie, was sentenced today to serve the rest of his life in prison for dealing crack cocaine, as announced by Rodger A. Heaton, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. Caffie’s criminal history includes at least two prior felony drug convictions, in Kane and Winnebago counties, making him eligible for the mandatory life sentence.

U.S. Attorney Heaton stated, “This is the third strike for Mr. Caffie. He’s out.”

Caffie was convicted of making three crack cocaine deliveries and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine following a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Joe Billy McDade on May 29, 2007. At trial, the government presented evidence that Caffie made three controlled deliveries of crack cocaine during a one-week period in March 2006: March 21; March 24; and on March 28. Caffie was arrested after he drove away from making the crack cocaine delivery on March 28, 2006. Law enforcement officers recovered the drug “buy money” from the vehicle as well as $3,491 and two cell phones linked to his drug sales.

Caffie has been detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his indictment in April 2006.

The Bloomington Police Department conducted the investigation . The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Campbell, Peoria Division of the Central District of Illinois U.S. Attorney’s Office, with the cooperation of the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office.