Kelly W. Cessna, Methamphetamine Distribution, Illinois 2017

A federal indictment has resulted in the sentencing of two men on methamphetamine related charges.

Kelly W. Cessna, 47, of Bridgeport, IL, and Lorenzo M. Molina, 50, of Phoenix, Arizona, were recently sentenced to federal prison on methamphetamine related charges, announced Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.

On May 23, 2017, Cessna was sentenced to 200 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release following his imprisonment. On May 25, 2017, Molina was sentenced to 135 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release.

Both Cessna and Molina had previously pleaded guilty to two counts in a federal indictment. Count 1 charged that from November 2015, until June 18, 2016, in Crawford, Lawrence, and Richland Counties, within the Southern District of Illinois, and elsewhere, Cessna, Molina, and Kedly G. Newlin, 57, of Lawrenceville, IL, and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine in violation of federal law. The total amount of methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy was fifty grams or more of crystal methamphetamine (Ice).

Count 3 charged that in mid to late May 2016, in Richland County, within the Southern District of Illinois, Molina knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine. Count 4 charged that on June 9, 2016, in Lawrence County, within the Southern District of Illinois, Cessna knowingly and intentionally possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.

Kedly G. Newlin, a co-defendant, was previously sentenced to 235 months of imprisonment.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Robinson, Illinois Police Department, the Bridgeport, Illinois Police Department, the Lawrenceville County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Cessna and Molina will serve their prison sentences at a federal correctional facility. This case is a reminder that the Southern District of Illinois will continue to prioritize the prosecution of those who engage in methamphetamine trafficking.

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