Darell Reed, Possession of Contraband, Illinois 2025

PEORIA, Ill. – Federal authorities say that Darell Reed, 35, is facing additional time behind bars after being sentenced to 15 months in prison for possessing contraband in a Illinois prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Reed was already serving a federal sentence for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced on August 5, 2025, to a consecutive 15-month term for possession of a prohibited object in prison.

At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Reed, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Illinois (FCI-Pekin), was visited at the prison on March 10, 2024. It was during this visit that an object was transferred between the visitor and Reed, which ultimately led to the recovery of two small orange balloons containing 30 orange pieces of film wrapped in cellophane.

The strips of film were identified as containing Suboxone and buprenorphine, Schedule III controlled substances prohibited in the prison. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the statutory penalties for possession of contraband by an inmate can include up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a special assessment of $100.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.

Reed’s sentence will be served consecutive to his existing term of imprisonment. The case serves as a reminder of the strict security measures in place at federal prisons and the consequences for those who attempt to bring prohibited items into the facilities.

The investigation and prosecution of Reed’s case highlights the dedication of law enforcement agencies to preventing the flow of contraband into federal prisons and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

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