Demontae Bell, 34, of Peoria, Ill., has been convicted of drug trafficking and gun offenses. Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid entered the judgment of conviction against Bell for two counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The conviction came after a three-day bench trial before Judge Shadid, where the government presented evidence of Bell’s involvement in drug transactions and possession of stolen firearms in late 2014 to early 2015. The evidence included the sale of two AR-15 rifles, a Glock 17C pistol, and an AK-47 style rifle in Peoria in exchange for drugs.
Bell faces a minimum of five years in federal prison at sentencing. The final sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of the presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
Judge Shadid scheduled July 13, 2017, for a post-trial motions hearing and possible sentencing. Bell has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest on April 9, 2015. The investigation was led by the FBI and the Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Peoria MEG (Multi-County Narcotics Enforcement Group), and the Pekin Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ron Hanna and Adam Korn are prosecuting the case. The conviction is a significant blow to drug trafficking and gun crimes in the Peoria area. The community can expect continued efforts from law enforcement to combat these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
The case against Demontae Bell serves as a reminder of the dangers of drug trafficking and gun crimes. The possession and sale of stolen firearms in exchange for drugs pose a significant threat to public safety. The conviction of Bell demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to addressing these crimes and protecting the community.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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