Texas man who tossed cocaine from car in Fairview Heights gets 10 years in prison

A Desoto, Tex., man who tossed four kilograms of cocaine out of his car while Fairview Heights police tried to pull him over in 2010 will spend the next 10 years in prison.

Stacy Harden, 42, was sentenced Friday, Southern Illinois Acting U.S. Attorney James Porter said.

According to court papers, a confidential informant on Oct. 21, 2010, notified Drug Enforcement Agency officers that Harden was in the area peddling a large amount of cocaine. The next day, the agents observed Harden leave an O’Fallon home with a plastic shopping bag. He drove to a Swansea residence and left there with a black bag.

Harden then drove into Fairview Heights, and agents asked police to conduct a traffic stop. But Harden sped off, eventually driving into a residential area and throwing items out of his car. The items turned out to be four kilograms of cocaine, which was recovered by police. Harden admitted to possessing another three kilograms.

Harden was charged and convicted for possessing the drug with the intent to distribute it. In addition to his 10-year prison term, he faces five years of probation and must pay $850 in fees.

This story was originally published January 22, 2016 at 4:42 PM with the headline "Texas man who tossed cocaine from car in Fairview Heights gets 10 years in prison."