Rantoul Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Deliver more than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine

Urbana, Ill. - On June 10, 2024, a Rantoul, Illinois, man Artez L. Johnson, of the 300 block of South Marshall Street was sentenced to 252 months imprisonment to be followed by 7 years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to deliver more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

In August 2023, Johnson was convicted of the offense following a federal jury trial held in front of United States District Judge Colin Bruce. At the trial, the government presented evidence establishing that on February 20, 2023, Johnson was pulled over during a traffic stop near the intersection of Maplewood and Grove Avenue in Rantoul, Illinois. Upon Johnson exiting the car, Rantoul police noticed a small bag of suspected cocaine on the driver's seat. Officers searched the car and located approximately 330 grams of methamphetamine ice packed in three Ziplock bags in the center console. Johnson claimed ownership of the methamphetamine but claimed it was for personal use. The Government presented additional evidence that Johnson had sold methamphetamine to an individual for several months prior to Johnson's arrest. Expert testimony was presented that 330 grams is a distribution amount, not a personal use amount.

The statutory penalties for possessing with intent to deliver more than 50 grams of methamphetamine are 10 years to life imprisonment, at least 5 years supervised release, and a fine of not more than $10 million.

The case investigation was conducted by the Rantoul Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Sullivan and Rachel Ritzer represented the government in the prosecution.