Leader of cocaine ring gets 17-year term

ST. LOUIS -- The leader of a St. Louis-area cocaine ring was sentenced Thursday to 17 years in prison, U.S. Attorney Ray Gruender said.

Leroy Laron Eason, 28, of Ballwin, was one of eight people involved in the ring who have either pleaded guilty or been convicted. Authorities said he was the leader of the group that distributed more than 15 kilograms of cocaine from July 1998 to September 2001.

All but one of the defendants has been sentenced. Lonnie Dwayne Payne, 49, of St. Louis, faces sentencing next month.

In addition to jail time, the defendants forfeited more than $100,000 in cash, cars, jewelry and real estate.

"This sentencing marks the end of a major cocaine distribution ring in the St. Louis area," Gruender said. "We will continue our efforts to dismantle organizations that put drugs on our streets."