Change of venue OK'd in drug case of Cape man

Brittany Devonce Purl, 30, who appeared for arraignment Monday before Judge Benjamin Lewis, requested and received a change of judge and venue. Lewis granted the change of judge, and the case was sent to Circuit Judge William Syler to assign a change of venue, said Cape Girardeau Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle. Purl was arrested Dec. 20 at his home at 127 S. Lorimier St., after the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force served a search warrant. During the search, police reportedly found substances believed to be crack cocaine and marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a loaded pistol along with some unidentified pills. Purl is charged with a felony count of manufacturing a controlled substance, two felony counts of distribution of a controlled substance, and a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana. Purl remains in the Cape Girardeau County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond.