Rockford man Ryan A. Pancyrz, 29, is headed to federal prison for more than 12 years after being caught with nearly 50 baggies of cocaine and a loaded .32-caliber revolver in 2016. Pancyrz, a convicted felon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala on charges of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and unlawful firearm possession.
Pancyrz was hit with a sentence of 12 years and seven months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to the charges on November 6, 2017, in the Northern District of Illinois, closing the case that began when Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies raided a residence on South Fifth Street in Rockford.
According to court documents, on April 8, 2016, officers found Pancyrz in possession of 49 plastic baggies of cocaine, a digital scale, $666 in cash, and two bottles of Inositol—a vitamin supplement commonly used to cut or dilute drugs. The loaded revolver was recovered at the scene, confirming Pancyrz’s status as a felon in illegal possession of a firearm.
Pancyrz admitted in his plea agreement that he intended to sell the drugs, making the case a federal distribution charge despite the absence of a large-scale operation. The presence of paraphernalia and cash tied directly to street-level drug sales painted a clear picture of trafficking activity.
Since his arrest on April 8, 2016, Pancyrz has remained in federal custody. No prior release or bail was granted, underscoring the severity of the charges and his criminal history as a repeat offender barred from possessing weapons.
The sentencing was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, alongside Celinez Nunez of the ATF Chicago Field Division, Joseph Bruscato, Winnebago County State’s Attorney, and Sheriff Gary Caruana. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Pedersen prosecuted the case, sealing Pancyrz’s fate with a sentence meant to reflect both deterrence and public safety.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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