Centralia Man Jacklin Faces Life in Meth & Gun Case

CENTRALIA, IL – Ryan A. Jacklin, 25, of Centralia, Illinois, is facing a potential life sentence after being indicted on a slew of federal drug and firearm charges. A federal grand jury returned the four-count indictment on April 19, 2017, detailing a significant operation involving methamphetamine, heroin, and an illegally possessed weapon.

According to the indictment, on September 12, 2016, in Richland County, Jacklin knowingly possessed with the intent to distribute at least 50 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine. He’s also accused of possessing heroin with the same intent on the same date and in the same county. The charges don’t stop there; authorities allege that Jacklin possessed a Taurus .357 Magnum revolver specifically to further his drug trafficking activities.

The scope of Jacklin’s alleged criminal enterprise extends beyond a single day. The indictment further claims that, from 2014 until September 12, 2016, Jacklin conspired with others to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine across Marion and Washington Counties. This conspiracy allegedly involved a staggering amount of the drug – 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.

If convicted on all counts, Jacklin faces a harsh penalty. Count One carries a potential sentence of 5-40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and a minimum of four years of supervised release. Count Two carries up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. The firearm charge (Count Three) carries a sentence of five years to life, to be served consecutively with any other sentence, along with a $250,000 fine. The most severe charge, Count Four, the conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, carries a minimum of ten years to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release.

United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce for the Southern District of Illinois stressed that an indictment is merely a formal accusation, and Jacklin is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the sheer volume and severity of the charges paint a grim picture of a dedicated drug trafficker operating in Southern Illinois.

The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, with significant support from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police, and other unnamed local law enforcement agencies. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.