United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Todd C. Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Chicago Division, and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois announced that Qwanell Jones, 27, of Alton, Illinois, was sentenced on July 11, 2022, to an aggregate term of 138 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after being convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm/ammunition as a felon.

At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that on March 12, 2020, Jones was the subject of a traffic stop in Raymond, Illinois, by the Raymond Police Department. During the stop, Jones was found in possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, along with a Smith & Wesson revolver, loaded with six rounds of .410 shotgun ammunition.   

Also at the hearing, U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm noted that Jones had a criminal history that included felony convictions for attempted robbery, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and armed robbery.

Jones was arrested on related state charges on March 12, 2020, federally indicted in August 2020, and convicted following a jury trial in November 2021. He has been continually detained since his arrest.

The statutory penalties for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute are up to 20 years’ imprisonment; up to a $1 million fine; and up to a life term of supervised release. The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime are a mandatory consecutive term of five years to life imprisonment; up to a $250,000 fine; and up to five years of supervised release. The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm/ammunition as a felon are up to 10 years’ imprisonment; up to a $250,000 fine; and up to three years of supervised release.

The DEA, Raymond and Litchfield, Illinois, Police Departments, and the Christian County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Bass represented the government in the prosecution.