Ronald J. Tenpas, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that on May 4, Demetrius Johnson 38, of Murphysboro, was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for possessing and distributing crack cocaine and a fiream violation in distict court in Benton.
Johnson, who had previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than five grams of crack cocaine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, also was sentenced to five years' supervised release and fined $950.
The violations took place between July 2003 and April 24, 2004, in Jackson, Randolph and Perry Counties. Co-defendants Ulysses Williams and Antonio Watson, have previously been sentenced to 19-and-a-half years imprisonment and 14 years imprisonment, respectively, for their role in the drugs and weapons offenses.
Co-defendant Jamonte Allison has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Co-defendants Detric Roseman and Brandon McDade have pled not guilty and are awaiting jury trial.
Information for the indictment was obtained through the joint effort of the Carbondale Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, and Drug Enforcement Administration, according to Tenpas. The agencies participated in the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative in the Southern District of Illinois.
Under the initiative, federal, state, and local law enforcement and work together to prosecute drug dealers, felons in possession of firearms, and criminals that use firearms to commit violent offenses or drug trafficking offenses.
The Jackson County Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is a joint and cooperative effort of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jackson County States Attorney’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Carbondale Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff' s Office, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, and Murphysboro Police Department.
The Perry County Sheriff’s Department and Pinckneyville Police Department also participated in the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda A. Robertson.
Tenpas announces sentencing
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