(EAST ST. LOUIS, IL) — The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced that Frederick D. Purnell, Sr. was sentenced on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, to 27 months in federal prison for Possession of Heroin (With Intent to Distribute). Purnell, 38 of East St. Louis, IL, pled guilty to the federal charge on April 14, 2015. According to evidence introduced at Purnell’s change of plea hearing, Deputy U.S. Marshals arrested Purnell in Cahokia on April 4, 2013 and seized just over 5 grams of heroin (1/5 ounce) from a nightstand in his bedroom. Purnell told arresting officers that he had been selling heroin around Cahokia, and that he had intended to sell the heroin which police seized. The investigation which resulted in Purnell’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.

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