A Centralia resident has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Jackie T. Scanlan, 54, admitted to two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
“This career offender built a life around selling dangerous narcotics and has a criminal history spanning over three decades of drug distribution,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “While he continued to make poor decisions following previous stints of incarceration, Scanlan’s 17-year federal prison sentence will help to protect the public from any further crimes.”
Authorities began investigating Scanlan in February 2024 for selling drugs from a motel room. During an initial traffic stop, law enforcement recovered 79 grams of methamphetamine, 24 fentanyl capsules, and two scales from his vehicle.
“Our success in combating drug trafficking in southern Illinois is a direct result of the collaboration both within the FBI Springfield's Southern Illinois TOC-W Task Force and outside it with our dedicated partners,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. S. Johnson. “By combining our resources, we're able to effectively seize drugs and firearms, and arrest those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”
In March 2024, Scanlan admitted traveling from Centralia to St. Louis to buy at least one pound of methamphetamine and more fentanyl capsules. Another traffic stop led officers to seize an additional 232 grams of methamphetamine and more fentanyl capsules.
Scanlan was classified as a career offender under federal sentencing guidelines due to multiple prior felony convictions related to drug trafficking. This status allowed for an extended term in federal prison.
After serving his sentence, Scanlan will be placed on supervised release for four years.
The case was investigated by the FBI Springfield Field Office TOC-West Task Force with assistance from the Centralia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Reppert prosecuted the case.
