Meth Kingpin Montano-Rodriguez Gets 27 Years

PEORIA, IL – Gabriel Antonio Montano-Rodriguez, 41, is facing a long stretch behind bars after being sentenced to 324 months – 27 years – in federal prison for a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation. The sentence, handed down January 13, 2023, by U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, reflects the gravity of Montano-Rodriguez’s criminal enterprise, which flooded Central Illinois with deadly narcotics.

Federal prosecutors laid out a damning case, proving Montano-Rodriguez, an illegal immigrant, sourced methamphetamine from Mexico and funneled it – along with heroin – across the southwest border. Operating primarily out of Arizona, he personally transported shipments, including a single haul of fifteen pounds of ice methamphetamine, to the Peoria area. There, he unleashed a network of local dealers to distribute the drugs throughout the region. Judge Shadid determined Montano-Rodriguez was responsible for trafficking over 23 pounds of ice methamphetamine and approximately 6 pounds of heroin during a ten-month span.

This wasn’t a first-time offense. Judge Shadid highlighted Montano-Rodriguez’s “life of crime,” detailing prior convictions for federal marijuana conspiracy, illegal reentry into the United States, and transporting undocumented immigrants. Crucially, the judge noted Montano-Rodriguez had been deported at least four times, voluntarily removed on other occasions, and repeatedly returned to the U.S. to continue his criminal activity. “All prior deportation efforts had not effectively removed Montano-Rodriguez ‘from the streets of the United States’,” Shadid stated, justifying the lengthy sentence.

The bust wasn’t a solo effort. Three of Montano-Rodriguez’s Peoria-area distributors are already in federal prison, and another faces state charges in Illinois Department of Corrections. Pekin Police Chief John Dossey praised the collaborative effort with the DEA, stating, “Montano-Rodriguez could have landed anywhere in the United States to deal drugs…this sentence makes clear that Montano-Rodriguez should have chosen elsewhere.” The department’s focus, Dossey added, remains on dismantling drug operations at their source.

Todd Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Springfield office, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the agency’s “unwavering commitment to protect Americans” by aggressively pursuing methamphetamine traffickers. Montano-Rodriguez was originally indicted in September 2021 and apprehended in November 2021 in Texas while serving time for a marijuana conspiracy. He was transferred to Illinois in December 2021 and pleaded guilty in June 2022, remaining in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute carry a potential sentence of 10 years to life, with enhancements for prior convictions. Montano-Rodriguez’s extensive criminal history triggered the higher end of the sentencing guidelines, resulting in the 27-year term. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pekin Police Department.

RELATED: Meth Kingpin Montano-Rodriguez Gets 27 Years