Summer B. Kirby, Methamphetamine Distribution, Illinois 2017

Methamphetamine Dealer Gets 11 Years, Gun Charge Tacked On

A 28-year-old woman from Johnston City, Illinois, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for her role in a methamphetamine distribution ring and a related firearm offense, a Grimy Times investigation has found.

Summer B. Kirby was sentenced to 140 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and using or carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. The charges stem from an investigation that uncovered a large-scale methamphetamine operation that distributed ‘ice,’ a highly pure form of methamphetamine with a purity level of at least 80 percent, in southern Illinois.

According to court documents, Kirby and her co-defendant, Clay Kirby, were involved in the distribution of ice, selling it to a confidential source working for law enforcement multiple times. In April 2017, Summer Kirby was stopped by police in Johnston City and found to be in possession of a loaded firearm, as well as methamphetamine, drug scales, and a large amount of cash.

The investigation, which was led by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and the Drug Enforcement Administration, also involved the Johnston City Police Department and the Marion Police Department.

Kirby was found to be responsible for the distribution of 735 grams of ice, a significant amount of the highly addictive and potent substance. Her co-defendant, Clay Kirby, was previously sentenced to 188 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.

The case is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to combat methamphetamine trafficking in southern Illinois. As the region continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, the presence of highly potent and addictive substances like methamphetamine poses a significant threat to public safety.

The sentencing of Summer Kirby is a significant victory for law enforcement and a testament to the dedication of agents and officers working to disrupt and dismantle methamphetamine trafficking operations in the region.

As the Grimy Times continues to investigate and report on the complex issues surrounding methamphetamine trafficking, we will provide updates on this case and others like it.

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