PEORIA, Ill. – Qwanell S. Jones, 27, of Alton, Illinois, is staring down a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted yesterday of trafficking methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm. The two-day trial in Peoria revealed a clear pattern of criminal behavior for Jones, a repeat offender with a history of violent crime.
The case unfolded on March 12, 2020, when officers with the Raymond, Illinois Police Department pulled over a Cadillac driven by Jones. The vehicle had no valid registration and Jones was driving on a suspended license. What started as a routine traffic stop quickly escalated into a major drug bust. A search of the car, followed by a search of Jones himself at the county jail, yielded a staggering 858 methamphetamine pills.
But the drugs weren’t the only illegal items found. Tucked away in the glove compartment was a fully loaded Smith & Wesson, Governor model, .45 Long Colt caliber/.410 gauge revolver, packed with six rounds of .410 shotgun ammunition. The proximity of the firearm to the bulk of the methamphetamine solidified the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a penalty that carries a severe mandatory minimum sentence.
Federal prosecutors weren’t shy about highlighting Jones’ prior criminal record. Evidence presented at trial showed Jones had already been convicted of three felony offenses in Madison County, Illinois: attempted armed robbery, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and armed robbery. These convictions, dating back to 2011 and 2013, earned him sentences of probation and eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections – a system he clearly failed to learn from.
Jones now faces up to 30 years imprisonment for the drug offense, another 10 years for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and a mandatory consecutive term of 5 years to life for the firearm charge tied to the drug trafficking. He also risks a fine of up to $750,000 and a minimum of 6 years to life of supervised release should he ever be freed. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 11, 2022, in Urbana, Illinois.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Raymond, Illinois Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass is leading the prosecution, determined to ensure Jones pays the price for his repeated offenses and the dangers he posed to the community.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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