Illinois Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Possessing a Firearm During and in Furtherance of a Drug Crime
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Johnnell Smith, 42, of Springfield, Illinois, was sentenced on Feb. 7, 2025, to 120 months in prison for possessing heroin with the intent to distribute it and for possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug crime.
At the sentencing hearing in front of Senior U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, the government presented evidence that on Nov. 30, 2022, agents executed a search warrant for Smith’s residence, where they found a variety of drugs – including almost 50 grams of heroin and nearly 160 grams of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl – and two firearms. Smith had a prior federal conviction from 2015 for selling heroin.
Smith was indicted in January 2023. In September 2024, he pleaded guilty to possessing more than 100 grams of heroin with the intent to distribute.
The statutory penalties for possession of 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute are not less than five and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, up to a $5 million fine, and up to a life term of supervised release. The penalties for possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug crime are up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the DEA and the Springfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution.
