SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – An Alton man, 27 year old Qwanell Jones, was sentenced on July 11 to an aggregate term of 11 ½ years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after being convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm/ammunition as a felon.
At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that on March 12, 2020, Jones was the subject of a traffic stop in Raymond by the Raymond Police Department.
During the stop, Jones was found in possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, along with a Smith & Wesson revolver, loaded with six rounds of .410 shotgun ammunition.
Also at the hearing, United States District Judge Michael M. Mihm noted that Jones had a criminal history that included felony convictions for attempted robbery, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and armed robbery.
Jones was arrested on related state charges on March 12, 2020, federally indicted in August 2020, and convicted following a jury trial in November 2021. He has been continually detained since his arrest.
The statutory penalties for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute are up to 20 years’ imprisonment; up to a $1,000,000 fine; and up to a life term of supervised release. The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime are a mandatory consecutive term of five years to life imprisonment; up to a $250,000 fine; and up to five years of supervised release. The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm/ammunition as a felon are up to 10 years’ imprisonment; up to a $250,000 fine; and up to three years of supervised release.