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Texas Man Sentenced for Cocaine Distribution
A Texas man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking operation in Illinois. Stacy L. Harden, 42, from Desoto, Texas, was sentenced on January 22, 2016, in federal district court in East St. Louis, Illinois, for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than Five Kilograms of Cocaine.
The investigation into Harden’s activities began in 2010 when a confidential informant tipped off DEA agents that he was in the St. Louis area with a large amount of cocaine for sale. DEA agents tracked Harden down and observed him leaving an O’Fallon home with a plastic shopping bag on October 22, 2010. He then went to another residence in Swansea, Illinois, where he left with a black bag.
At the direction of the DEA agents, the Fairview Heights Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Harden. However, Harden sped off, driving into a residential area and throwing items out of the window, as witnessed by officers. Approximately 4 kilograms of cocaine were seized by officers. Harden was placed under arrest and later admitted to possessing a total of 7 kilograms of cocaine.
Harden was sentenced to 120 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release, fined $750, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. The evidence in support of this prosecution was obtained in an investigation which was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
The OCDETF initiative is designed to bring federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and resources together to identify, target and dismantle large national and international drug trafficking organizations. Agencies participating in this case include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Fairview Heights Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
The sentencing of Harden is a significant blow to organized crime in the region. The cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is a key factor in the success of this case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of engaging in cocaine trafficking. The harsh sentences handed down in cases like this one demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement to protecting communities from the devastating effects of drug crime.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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