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Date: 05-18-2023
Case Style:
Case Number: 3:22-cr-30001
Judge: David W. Dugan
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois (St. Clair County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office in East St. Louis
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: East St. Louis, Illinois criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine and possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute the drugs in St. Clair County.
Nickolas Shannon, 29, previously pled guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intention to distribute. Upon release from federal prison, he will serve five years of supervised release.
“Fentanyl is poisoning our communities at an alarming rate, and we’re confronting the crisis in southern Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Individuals found responsible for distributing illicit drugs can and will be subjected to steep federal prison sentences.”
"Too often DEA finds illegal drugs and firearms in our cases," said Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Rehg, head of Drug Enforcement Administration enforcement operations in southern Illinois. "Drug trafficking is a violent business and a primary reason we investigate cases like this one. The successful prosecution and sentencing of Nickolas Shannon is a reminder that the DEA will pursue these criminals not only to stop the illegal distribution of fentanyl in our communities, but also to prevent the associated violence that comes with felons possessing guns."
According to court documents, DEA agents began investigating Shannon for distributing controlled substances in December 2021 based on information from a confidential source. Undercover sources working with DEA bought 5.4 grams of fentanyl and 6.883 grams of methamphetamine from Shannon on two separate occasions in St. Clair County. Shortly after, agents arrested Shannon and conducted a search warrant on his apartment.
During the search, agents located 1.735 grams of cocaine base, 1.162 grams of cocaine and 2.9 grams of fentanyl as well as a drug paraphernalia and three loaded and unsecured firearms, including an AR-15 rifle. In an interview with police, Shannon acknowledged he is a convicted felon and therefore unable to legally possess firearms. Further DEA investigation revealed that Shannon was responsible for the distribution of nearly 300 grams of fentanyl.
DEA led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. Carraway prosecuted the case.
18:922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) Felon in Possession of a Firearm
(1)
21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) Possession With Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances: Fentanyl and Cocaine Base
(2)
21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) Distribution of Controlled Substance: Fentanyl
(3)
21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii) Distribution of Controlled Substances: Methamphetamine and Fentanyl
(4)
Outcome: Defendant is sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 120 months as to Count 1 and 188 months as to Counts 2, 3 and 4 of the Indictment, all to be served concurrently. Upon release, Defendant shall be placed on supervised release for a term of 3 years as to Counts 1, 2 and 3 and 5 years as to Count 4 of the Indictment, all to be served concurrently. Defendant shall pay a fine in the amount of $1,000.00 and a special assessment in the amount of $400.00.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: