Jalen Wilson, a 33-year-old resident of Michigan City, was sentenced on April 1 to 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Wilson will also serve four years of supervised release following his prison term. The charges stem from two separate occasions when Wilson sold fentanyl and another occasion when he sold a firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device. Because of a previous federal felony conviction for conspiring to distribute heroin, Wilson was prohibited from possessing firearms.
"Jalen Wilson decided to ignore the lessons he should have learned during his first trip through the federal criminal justice system," said U.S. Attorney Mildred. "Instead, he escalated by diversifying his illicit business into to fentanyl and firearms. Thankfully, the committed public servants with DEA, ATF, LaPorte County Drug Task Force, and our Office brought this recidivist drug dealer to justice. I commend them all for their efforts."
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke commented on the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl: "Fentanyl remains the country’s deadliest drug threat, claiming nearly 50,000 lives last year. The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with its law enforcement and prosecution partners, will continue to hold accountable anyone who is cruel and evil enough to drive more Americans towards the poison of fentanyl. Mr. Wilson will have much time in a federal penitentiary to think of the lives he destroyed; and hopefully he will discern ways to be a productive member of society once he is free again."
ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon addressed concerns about illegal firearms: "Every machinegun conversion device taken off the streets is a potential mass shooting prevented. The sentence imposed in this case reflects the seriousness of these offenses as well as the threat dangerous drugs and illegal machinegun conversion devices pose in our community. ATF, alongside our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office, will continue to work together to ensure these violent offenders are held accountable."
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), LaPorte County Drug Task Force, with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Andrew A. Krumwied.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement at all levels with communities they serve in an effort aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.
