On May 25, 2016, Leah A. Bean, 33, of Sparta, and Larry D. Rice, 27, of Percy, were sentenced on a methamphetamine offense, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Bean and Rice had previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin. Bean was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and fined $200.00. Rice was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years’ supervised release and fined $200. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Bean and Rice were involved with each other and others in the distribution of heroin and ice/methamphetamine. The group made multiple trips to the St. Louis area to obtain dealer amounts of heroin. The heroin was then transported back to southern Illinois for distribution. At sentencing, the judge found that Bean was responsible for 302.4 grams of heroin and 5 grams of ice/methamphetamine. Rice was found responsible for 128.4 grams of heroin and 1.25 grams of ice/methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2013 and June 2015, in Perry, Jackson, and Randolph Counties. Three co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their roles in the heroin and methamphetamine conspiracies. Four co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Three co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting a June 13, 2016, jury trial.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Percy Police Department, Steeleville Police Department, Mascoutah Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, DuQuoin Police Department, Pinckneyville Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Randolph and Perry County State’s Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Robertson.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
