A Cherry Valley, Illinois man has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm.
Sean Claeyssen, 35, admitted earlier this year to distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to his plea agreement, between October and December 2023, Claeyssen sold and distributed nearly 665 grams of methamphetamine and almost 28 grams of cocaine. He also acknowledged that he had a loaded firearm when he was arrested in December 2023.
On November 14, 2025, U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston handed down the sentence of 204 months in prison.
The sentencing was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Shane R. Catone, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and Beloit Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Kim represented the government in court.
“Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to tackle a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses,” according to officials.
