A Lincoln, Illinois, man is now sentenced to a hefty 156 months behind bars for his role in distributing methamphetamine, according to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement. Curtis Kelly, 35, was handed down the sentence on April 23, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless following his guilty plea in August 2023.

Imprisoned since late 2022, Kelly’s involvement with co-conspirators Darryl Verser and Richard Dinger comprised the distribution of roughly 13 kilograms of the controlled substance. The sentencing, which also includes a subsequent 5-year term of supervised release, comes as a result of specified drug transactions traced back to November and December 2022. Dinger awaits his own sentencing on May 17, 2024, whereas, charges against Verser and Nicholas Steele are still up in the air.

The case against Kelly is steeped in the nationwide effort of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative initiative aimed at quelling violent crime and gun violence. PSN leverages the collective strength of law enforcement across different levels and nurtures the bond with the communities they vow to protect.

Investigation leading to Kelly's conviction was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Illinois State Police, and the Peoria Police Department. On the legal front, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government during the prosecution. Although Kelly has admitted to his crimes, the public needs to remember, that indictments are mere allegations and not evidence of guilt.

The PSN program, revitalized in May 2021, predicates on several pillars: building trust and legitimacy within communities, backing organizations focused on preventing violence before it erupts, outlining strategic enforcement priorities and ultimately, gauging the program's impact. Kelly’s case symbolizes a tangible move towards the broader goal of a safer society.