Most of 11 indicted in cocaine case have pleaded guilty

All but four of 11 people indicted last November in a cocaine conspiracy case in Quincy have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Howard and Sylvester Purham, the two Chicago brothers alleged to have masterminded the drug conspiracy, were indicted federally in November and face up to life in prison if convicted. Sylvester Purham, 23, and Howard Purham, 20, are now in federal custody. State's Attorney Jon Barnard said the pleas and sentences culminate a long, complex and successful investigation by the West Central Illinois Task Force. The investigation spanned several years, involved ongoing covert surveillance, federal wiretaps and the cooperation of sources close to the operation of the conspiracy. "The cocaine distribution network itself was complex, and involved many tentacles, stretching from the streets of Quincy, to the city of Chicago, to behind the walls of the Department of Corrections," Barnard said. "All of us owe a debt of gratitude to those involved in this long and often dangerous operation in bringing these defendants to justice." Barnard said the Purham brothers have given "proffers," or statements indicating their involvement in the cases. The proffers were referred to during several of the court hearings for defendants in the cases. The Adams County indictments included 47 counts, ranging from street gang criminal conspiracy to multiple deliveries of crack cocaine. "The successful prosecution of these individuals has been a major victory in stemming the flow of illegal narcotics into our communities," Barnard said. "These defendants are merchants of poison. Their inventory does nothing but damage and addict. The sentences sought, and those imposed to date, serve notice to these defendants and those tempted to follow in their footsteps." Chicago resident Tyree Malone, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to manufacturing and distributing cocaine. Authorities say Malone was one of five Chicago residents who were "street dealers" in the drug conspiracy. Jeremiah Simpson, 19, was sentenced to six years in prison for manufacturing and delivering cocaine. Marvin Barnes, 29, pleaded guilty to a drug count and was sentenced earlier this month to five years in prison. Angelo Riggs, 28, pleaded guilty to manufacturing and distributing cocaine and received a four-year prison sentence. One of the Chicago men, Andrew Bunch, 20, had a drug count dropped due to evidence issues. Barnard said Bunch was already in the Illinois Department of Corrections for other offenses when he was indicted. Four Quincy women also were indicted -- Adriane Tuttle, 22, Lasha Johnson, 23, Shiya White, 19, and Jerrica Jones, 23. Tuttle pleaded guilty to manufacture and delivery of cocaine, a Class 1 felony, and was sentenced to five years in prison. Jones pleaded guilty to two drug counts and was sentenced to three years in prison. White was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to two drug counts, and Johnson will be sentenced Aug. 15 after pleading guilty to two cocaine-related counts.