Moline Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Meth & Gun Possession

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The grim reaper of the streets, Devon Allen McConnell, 36, from Moline, Illinois, was handed down a 16-year death sentence by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey on Thursday, November 18, 2021. The sentence came for McConnell’s heinous crimes of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, compounded by his Felon in Possession of a Firearm charge.

McConnell’s descent into the abyss began when law enforcement intercepted him with 1.31 grams of ice methamphetamine and a loaded Taurus nine-millimeter firearm. In a chilling post-Miranda interview, McConnell confessed to his intentions – he was en route to sell the deadly methamphetamine to another individual.

But this wasn’t just a drug deal. The gun in his hand was his silent partner during these deals, a clear indicator of his willingness to use violence to secure his trade. As a convicted felon, McConnell’s hands were already shackled by the law, yet he flagrantly violated it by carrying the firearm and ammunition – both illegal for someone with his criminal history.

McConnell pleaded guilty to these charges on July 21, 2021, and now faces the harsh reality of a long stretch in federal prison. He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after his term and pay $300 to the Crime Victims’ Fund – a pittance for the lives he has shattered.

The case was announced by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa, who vowed to continue the war against drug trafficking and firearms violations in the region. The Davenport Police Department and the Moline Police Department were instrumental in the investigation that led to McConnell’s downfall.

As McConnell’s sentence echoes through the correctional system, it serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who choose the dark path of drug trafficking and illegal weaponry. It’s a grim chapter closed for now, but the fight against such crimes continues in relentless pursuit of justice.

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