ROCK ISLAND, IL – Atoris Jaquez Slater, 28, of Rock Island, Illinois, will spend the next decade behind bars after receiving a 120-month federal sentence for a cocktail of serious offenses. Slater was busted with crack cocaine and THC, then compounded his problems by illegally possessing a firearm – and using it in connection with his drug dealing.
The sentencing, handed down Thursday, breaks down as follows: concurrent 60-month terms for possession with intent to distribute crack and THC, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. But the judge didn’t stop there. Slater will serve an *additional* consecutive 60 months for possessing that firearm while furthering his drug trafficking operation. That’s ten years total, a hefty penalty that sends a clear message to other criminals operating in the Quad Cities.
Slater initially pleaded guilty in July 2021, facing a potential maximum of 20 years for the drug charges alone. The firearm offenses carried even stiffer penalties – up to 10 years for being a felon in possession, and a staggering five years to life for using a gun in drug trafficking. While the sentence fell short of the maximum, it’s a significant stretch and reflects the gravity of the combined crimes.
The case was a collaborative effort, involving the Rock Island Police Department, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These agencies worked together to build a solid case against Slater, proving his involvement in the illegal drug trade and his willingness to arm himself while doing it. The investigation highlights the ongoing need for interagency cooperation in tackling complex criminal networks.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Mathew led the prosecution, successfully arguing for a sentence that reflects the danger Slater posed to the community. While the feds aren’t releasing details of the initial bust, sources confirm the investigation originated with a street-level drug complaint that quickly escalated once the firearm came into play. This wasn’t just about a few grams of crack; it was about a felon actively endangering public safety.
Slater’s case is another grim reminder that the combination of drugs and guns is a deadly one. The 120-month sentence should serve as a deterrent to others considering a similar path. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois, under United States Attorney Gregory K. Harris, continues to prioritize cases involving violent crime and drug trafficking, working to keep the streets of Illinois a little bit safer – one conviction at a time.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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