Trevor Perry, who was found guilty of distributing less than five grams of a cocaine base, was sentenced to 271/4 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Richard Young said the sentence was "not the statutory maximum but (still) a substantial sentence" and told Perry he believed him to be a "career criminal."Perry told the judge he felt the sentence was unfair, vindictive and racially motivated.Also sentenced Thursday was Kamal Sims, who received a minimum statutory sentence of 20 years. Sims did not make a statement during the sentencing, but his attorney, Conor O'Daniel, told the court he maintains his innocence.Young said he hopes the sentencings will deter others from committing similar crimes. Young told Sims he hopes that he takes educational programs seriously while he is in prison so he can lead a productive life after his release."If I see you again in this courtroom, it's not going to be a pleasant situation for you," Young said. "That will tell me, your attorney and your family that you don't care what happens to you. Hopefully, you can get through and be a productive member of society."Perry and Sims were the last to be sentenced in the case, and both received additional time on their sentences because of previous felony convictions. On Wednesday, two other Evansville men were sentenced in the case. David Neighbors, who federal prosecutors said is believed to be the leader of the group, was sentenced to life in prison, and LaFrederick Taylor was given 20 years. The four men were among 20 people arrested last year for allegedly dealing cocaine in the Evansville area. The men were found guilty in August after a nearly two week trial in U.S. District Court in Evansville.
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