Springfield Man Doped Up with Felony Firepower, Gets the Bop

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A federal jury delivered a guilty verdict against James Russwinkel, 20th block of Country Lake Road, Springfield, Illinois, for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon.

Russwinkel’s downward spiral began on May 8, 2020, when Springfield Police Officers stopped him while driving, taking him into custody due to an outstanding warrant. A search of Russwinkel revealed a loaded 9mm magazine, a loose 9mm round, and a substantial amount of U.S. Currency. Further investigation uncovered a black backpack containing over 26 grams of methamphetamine in multiple bags, a 9mm pistol without its magazine, and even more U.S. Currency.

Police seized a total of $14,637 from Russwinkel, including the cash and the contraband. The jury found that the defendant possessed the methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug distribution. Russwinkel also faced charges for possessing the firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

Russwinkel is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, pending sentencing. On October 2, 2024, he will face statutory penalties ranging from five to 40 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. Additionally, he faces a consecutive five-year sentence for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and up to 10 years for possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon.

The prosecution was the result of an investigation by the Springfield Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Tanner K. Jacobs and Sierra Senor-Moore represented the government at trial.

Russwinkel’s conviction is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The Department of Justice has implemented a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN, focusing on fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Springfield Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives all contributed to the investigation and successful prosecution of Russwinkel.