Five Indicted in Peoria Crack Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

Peoria, IL - A cooperative law enforcement operation has resulted in five arrests in an alleged crack cocaine distribution conspiracy, as announced by Rodger A. Heaton, United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois and Weysan Dun, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Division.

Those charged include: Adrein Bennett, age 26; Terry Bennett, 25, of 811 Bartlett Court, Peoria, Illinois; Neashon L. Washington, 32; Douglas Sherman, 52; and Kontyeus J. Robinson, 25. The indictment charges all five defendants with participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in the Peoria area over a two-year period, from 2004 to 2006.

The charges are the result of an ongoing investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Peoria Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and the Peoria Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Heaton stated, “Today’s charges are the result of an investigation by the Safe Streets Task Force and the Peoria MEG. Because of their commitment of specialized resources to fighting gang crime in their respective communities, the streets are safer for all of us.”

Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun said, “These arrests highlight the strategy behind the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, as an intelligence-driven interagency initiative, designed to dismantle criminal enterprises. The FBI appreciates the cooperative efforts of the Peoria MEG, the Peoria Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force.”

The indictment alleges the defendants trafficked more than 50 grams of crack cocaine during the course of the conspiracy. In addition to the conspiracy charge, the defendants are each charged with specific counts of distribution of crack cocaine. Adrein Bennett is charged with 16 additional counts of distribution of crack cocaine. Neashon L. Washington faces nine additional counts of distribution of crack cocaine; Terry Bennett two counts; Douglas Sherman one count; and Kontyeus J. Robinson four counts.

The indictment was returned by the federal grand jury last week, but remained sealed pending the arrests of the defendants.

If convicted, the conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison to life. If a defendant has one prior felony drug conviction, the penalty, if convicted, increases to a mandatory minimum 20 years in prison to life. With two or more prior felony drug convictions, the penalty is life imprisonment. For the offense of distribution of crack cocaine, the penalty is up to 20 years in prison; with one or more prior felony drug convictions, the penalty is up to 30 years in prison.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.