Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A Springfield man was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court to 15 years in prison for his role in a widespread drug conspiracy linked to the Boss Playas street gang.

Evidence showed Derrick Bailey, 44, was involved in the operation from about May to November 2020. At his sentencing, he was held accountable for trafficking more than 10 kilograms of cocaine. Judge Sue Myerscough noted that Bailey and his co-conspirators were responsible for distributing large amounts of controlled substances in the Springfield area.

Co-defendants in the case have received the following prison sentences: Denziel Witherspoon, 20 years; James Cooper, 15 years; Christopher Wallace 10 years; Isadore Montgomery, 10 years; Rashaud Brown, 7 years; Paul Davis, 3 years and 3 months; and Taylor Cockrell, 3 years. Additional defendants Dorothy Jackson, Shelton Witherspoon, Lavar Maney, Haley Riley, and Haylee Vaughn have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

Bailey was indicted in December 2020 and pleaded guilty in September 2024. He has been in U.S. Marshals’ custody since his arrest in December 2020.

The case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, Illinois State Police, and Springfield Police Department.