Two men from Peoria, Illinois, have found themselves on the receiving end of significant prison sentences for their roles in a drug and firearm operation, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office on March 10th. Kelvin Eugene Patterson, Jr., 39, will face a 12-year prison term, followed by four years of supervised release, after being involved in a conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. In addition, he has been hit with a $26,140 fine on top of forfeited assets.
Marcus L. Burnside, also known as "Pooty," who is 30, received a total of 120 months’ imprisonment last year, which accounts for consecutive 60-month sentences for similar charges of conspiracy and for possessing a firearm to further drug trafficking. This sentence includes the same four years of supervised release following his time behind bars, the U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed.
The indictment for Patterson dates back to May 2023, while Burnside was added to the charges later when a superseding indictment was filed. Both men pleaded guilty, with Patterson's plea entered in November 2024 and Burnside in June of the previous year. Their operation involved a loft apartment on Main Street in Peoria, which served as a hub for storing and distributing significant amounts of marijuana. On various occasions, individuals seen leaving the premises were stopped by law enforcement, leading to the seizure of the drugs.
At Patterson's sentencing, where he received an above-guideline sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm cited the severe nature of the conspiracy in justifying the decision. Both men were also required to forfeit items recovered during law enforcement's raid, which included a handgun, cash to the tune of $23,860.00, and a money counter. The operation that led to Patterson and Burnside's apprehension is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime, particularly gun violence.
The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, a collective of federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; the Illinois Department of Corrections; and the Illinois State Police, spearheaded the investigation. The Internal Revenue Service also lent assistance in the case. PSN focuses on fostering trust within communities, supporting violence prevention groups, and applying strategic enforcement priorities to curtail violent crime.
