Antwon Willis, Heroin Trafficking, Indiana 2016

SOUTH BEND – In a major blow to the heroin trafficking trade, Antwon Willis, a 46-year-old man from Richton Park, Illinois, was sentenced to 235 months in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin in the Northern District of Indiana and elsewhere.

On May 26, 2016, Willis was sentenced before Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, following a five-day jury trial that concluded with guilty verdicts on February 5, 2016.

According to documents filed in the case, from 2009 up to and including October 2014, Willis knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with other persons to distribute over 100 grams of heroin in the Northern District of Indiana and elsewhere.

Willis, who lived near Chicago, mainly used intermediaries to distribute heroin in LaPorte County, Indiana, as well as Hammond, Indiana, and Eastern Illinois. At the sentencing hearing held on May 26, 2016, the judge found that Willis was responsible for distributing at least 18 kilograms of heroin.

The conspiracy involved locations in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Indiana.

United States Attorney David Capp said, ‘Our federal, state, and local partners work closely together with my Office to locate the distributors of this highly addictive, dangerous drug and prosecute them. Even if someone lives in another community, or even another state, when heroin is sold in Indiana, we will pursue the people who are responsible.’

‘Heroin traffickers ruin lives, families, and communities by causing overdose deaths and spikes in violence. The DEA, along with its local partners, are committed to stopping anyone who exploits addiction and makes our neighborhoods less safe,’ said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Greg Westfall of DEA’s Indianapolis District Office.

This case was prosecuted as a result of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of Michigan City and Portage, Indiana, Police Departments. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer.

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