A Centralia man has been given a 30-year prison sentence on charges tied to drug dealing, illegal firearm possession, and witness tampering, in a case that has been scrutinized by federal law enforcement in southern Illinois. De’Andre Owens, 37, was convicted this February on charges of distributing methamphetamine and attempts at silencing a witness after a jury evaluated the evidence brought before them, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois.
Owens's sentence comes after a chain of legal proceedings which saw him plead guilty in 2022 to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon—stemming from a prior 2016 drug conviction—and his subsequent arrest where officials retrieved a 9mm pistol during a 2019 vehicle search police, the pivotal moment leading to his downfall was a jury finding him guilty for selling 18 grams of meth in March of the same year and trying to stop a witness from testifying against him, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe underscored the severity of Owens's actions, stating, "Felons who continue to sell drugs, possess firearms illegally and attempt to pay off witnesses to further conceal their crimes are a true threat to public safety," her comments suggest a clear message about the consequences awaiting those who engage in such activities. Crowe's statement, reflective of the prosecuting team's resolve, appears aimed at underlining the importance of such convictions for community safety.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Jermaine Deans echoed Crowe's sentiments, speaking to the collaborative law enforcement efforts that resulted in Owens' capture and conviction, "The successful outcome of the investigation is a testament to the collaborative efforts and teamwork of multiple law enforcement agencies working shoulder-to shoulder with the FBI to make safer communities," said Deans, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois. The case against Owens was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Hudson and David Dean.
