PAXTON – Robert Martin Schaub, 48, of Gibson City has received a 35-year sentence for his part in a drug conspiracy that state law enforcement officials termed "the largest cocaine operation in Ford County history."

Schaub previously rejected a plea agreement that offered a 22-year jail term. His case was the first to go to trial among the 17 defendants in Operation Pyramid, an Illinois State Police Task Force 6 investigation that targeted mostly rural illegal drug activity in Ford, Champaign, DeWitt, McLean and Vermilion counties. Eleven of the 17 indicted have already pleaded guilty.

Schaub was convicted Jan. 17 by a Ford County jury of three Class X felonies, including criminal drug conspiracy and drug trafficking.

In sentencing Schaub on Tuesday, Ford County Circuit Court Judge Steve Pacey said that although someone else introduced Schaub to (admitted conspiracy leader) Devon Thomas, testimony showed that Schaub "willingly became a significant participant" in the conspiracy.

Illinois Assistant Attorney General Matthew Hoppock asked for a minimum 40-year sentence, saying Schaub was "the No. 2" person in the cocaine ring hierarchy.

Hoppock said another aggravating factor was evidence that Schaub's minor child was present during some drug deals.

Schaub also has a criminal record that included serving one year in Kentucky for a 1982 robbery.

Illinois State Police Sgt. Eric Candler of Task Force 6 testified that the value of drugs exceeded $1 million.

Defense attorney Steven A. Amjad of Champaign asked that his client receive a 15-year sentence.

As a mitigating factor, he said no guns were found on Schaub or at his house. Amjad said the only gun Schaub was involved with was the one Thomas "pointed at his head."

Schaub, who did not testify during his trial, offered the judge reasons for a lesser sentence. He said he "had never caused harm to anyone" and denied any involvement in the criminal drug conspiracy.

But in the presentencing report, Ford County probation officer Rocky Marron said Schaub "is out of touch with the reality of his situation and has been so since drugs took a hold of his life."

11 people in task force cases pleaded guilty

As for other Operation Pyramid defendants, 11 of the 17 charged already have pleaded guilty according to Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Ben Halloran, Task Force 6 commander.

Ten have entered guilty pleas in circuit courts in DeWitt, Ford and McLean counties.

Their sentences have ranged from nine to 20 years, with the majority receiving a sentence of more than 15 years.

Defendants and their plea agreements include Amanda Nelson of Gibson City, 20 years; Loren Ford of LeRoy, 20 years; Stacy Kauth of Farmer City, 20 years; Kevin Priest of Farmer City, 18 years; Christopher Shortridge of Farmer City, 17 years; Christina Roe of Farmer City, 16 years; Tina Mattingly of LeRoy, 13 years; Kimberly Andres of Farmer City, 13 years; William Isaacs of Farmer City, 10 years; and Vickie Isaacs of Farmer City, nine years.

Conspiracy leader and former Indiana resident Devon Thomas pleaded guilty in June in federal court and is serving a life sentence due in part to two prior convictions. His cooperation in providing testimony against members of his drug ring has resulted in what officials admit is an unusual "top-down" form of arrests.

As a result, Halloran says, there are still more defendants who will be indicted before the operation is completed.

Defendants awaiting trial or other disposition of drug charges include Kristyn Bingham of Colfax, Angela Chaudoin of Normal, Jennifer Cooley of Farmer City and Thomas Misch and Marvin Umstattd of LeRoy.

Police from LeRoy, Gibson City and Farmer City, along with Ford, DeWitt and McLean County sheriff's departments are part of the multijurisdictional effort.

Will Brumleve of the Paxton Record contributed to this story.