Cape man in Monday raid faces felony drug charges

A Cape Girardeau man who police say has a lengthy criminal record was charged Tuesday with three felony drug crimes and one misdemeanor. Brittany Devonce Purl, 30, was arrested Monday afternoon at his 127 S. Lorimier St. home after the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force served a search warrant there.

Purl is charged with a felony count of manufacturing a controlled substance, two counts of felony distribution of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor of possession of marijuana. The felony counts carry a punishment of 5 to 15 years in prison. The misdemeanor charge carries a punishment of between a day to a year in the county jail or a fine of a maximum of $1,000, or both.

According to Cape Girardeau police detective William J. Bohnert in his probable-cause statement, when officers served the warrant, they reportedly found numerous drugs and related items in Purl's residence, including a small plastic bag containing a substance believed to be crack cocaine and a crack cocaine pipe. They also allegedly found a small amount of marijuana in a plastic bag in the living room.

In the kitchen police allegedly found a small amount of crack cocaine on the counter top, a box of sandwich bags, a box of baking soda, a razor blade, a spoon, a silver-colored pot and a clear glass jar that police believe was apparently used to manufacture crack cocaine.

In the bathroom, police said, they found a spoon with residue, a push rod and a .22-caliber bullet. Police reportedly found a loaded Lorcin semiautomatic pistol in Purl's bedroom.

They also allegedly found in the living room five pills that have not been identified.

Prior to serving the warrant, Bohnert further stated that twice this month Purl allegedly sold drugs to a confidential police informant.

Purl was still in city police custody late Tuesday. He has not yet made a court appearance to determine bond.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160