Eric J. Simpson, 48, of Sauget, Illinois, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine. This conviction comes as a result of a multi-agency investigation into a narcotics trafficking operation in the region.
According to court records, in February and March of 2015, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) recorded Simpson selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant six times. During this period, Simpson sold 80.1 grams of crack cocaine to the informant while openly discussing the use of firearms.
After Simpson was released from custody on March 14, 2015, he immediately threatened the confidential informant. Agents subsequently executed a federal search warrant at Simpson’s residence, seizing several loaded firearms, ammunition, and drugs.
Before his sentencing, Simpson filed numerous frivolous motions challenging the court’s jurisdiction, a tactic commonly associated with ‘sovereign citizen’ groups. He also sent harassing communications to the prosecutor and the judge, causing repeated delays in his sentencing and ultimately leading to his incarceration after his bond was revoked on September 7, 2016.
At sentencing, the court found that Simpson had engaged in repeated acts of obstructive conduct, including falsely accusing his attorneys of malfeasance, filing frivolous pleadings, and causing harassing mailings to be sent to the prosecutor and the court.
As a result of this obstructive behavior, Simpson’s request for acceptance of responsibility was denied, and a sentencing enhancement for obstructing justice was applied. Simpson was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment, and will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.
The investigation into Simpson’s narcotics trafficking operation was led by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
Defendant Information:
– Defendant Name: Eric J. Simpson
– Charges: Distribution of crack cocaine
– City and State: Sauget, Illinois
– Sentencing Date: November 17, 2016
– Sentence: 78 months in federal prison, $1,000 fine, $100 special assessment, 3 years supervised release
Related Federal Cases
- Tyree M. Neal, Jr., Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy, Illinois 2012 · Illinois
- Eric J. Simpson, Crack Sales, Illinois 2016 · Illinois
- Hector Quinones, Cocaine Distribution, Illinois 2024 · Washington
- Ranjit Wahi, Illicit Oxycodone and Methadone Distribution, Illinois 2023 · Kentucky
- Ronald J. Wiggins, Methamphetamine Distribution, Illinois 2015 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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