Peoria Kingpin Gets 20 Years for Heroin & Fentanyl

PEORIA, IL – David D. Major, 51, of Peoria, Illinois, is facing two decades behind bars after receiving the maximum sentence for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, as well as possession with intent to distribute. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid on September 14, 2020, reflects the severity of Major’s crimes and his brazen attempt to interfere with the justice system.

The case against Major, who resided in the 1400 block of East Forrest Hill, revealed a calculated operation centered around sourcing heroin and fentanyl in Chicago and funneling it into the Peoria area for distribution. Prosecutors presented damning evidence linking Major’s product directly to a fatal overdose in Pekin, Illinois, in December 2018 – a life extinguished by the poison he peddled. The financial trail also painted a clear picture: between February and March 2019, Major transferred nearly $10,000 to his Chicago-based supplier to fuel his drug enterprise.

But the sentencing wasn’t just about the drugs. Judge Shadid found Major actively obstructed justice by attempting to tamper with a witness before sentencing, a move that clearly demonstrated his lack of remorse and willingness to manipulate the legal process. This act of intimidation significantly contributed to the severity of his punishment. Major’s history also came into play; the court designated him a “career offender” due to prior convictions, including the particularly violent charges of aggravated kidnapping and unlawful delivery of heroin.

Major pleaded guilty on October 11, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute heroin during February and March 2019, and to two separate counts of heroin distribution in February 2019, spanning both Tazewell and Peoria counties. This guilty plea, however, did little to mitigate the damage he inflicted on the community. The investigation, a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pekin Police Department, exposed a network of distribution that saturated the region with deadly narcotics.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine G. Legge successfully prosecuted the case, building a solid case based on evidence linking Major directly to the source of the drugs, the money trail, and the tragic consequences of his actions. This conviction serves as a stark warning to those who profit from the misery of others. The 20-year sentence sends a message: dealing death doesn’t pay, and those who do will face the full force of the law.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Illinois. The proliferation of fentanyl, in particular, continues to pose a significant threat to public health and safety, and law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to dismantle these criminal enterprises and bring those responsible to justice.

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