Colp Resident Sentenced For Drug Conspiracy

On May 18, 2015, Ahamad R. Atkins, a/k/a "Omar," and "O," 34, of Colp, IL, was sentenced for a federal drug violation, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Atkins, who had previously pled guilty to an indictment charging conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and heroin, was sentenced to 216 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and $400.00. The offense occurred between 2012 and May 2014, in Williamson County. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings, established that Atkins and co-defendant Antuan Perkins, a/k/a "Little Man," and others were bringing large amounts of cocaine and heroin from Chicago to Colp for distribution. In Colp, Atkins often cooked the powder cocaine into crack cocaine. On multiple occasions, Atkins sold crack cocaine and heroin to confidential sources working for law enforcement. Atkins often had other persons assisting him in the distributions. At sentencing, the district court found that Atkins was responsible for the distribution of 701.2 grams of crack cocaine, 1009 grams of powder cocaine, and 1430.1 grams of heroin. Atkins received a sentencing enhancement because he possessed multiple firearms during his drug dealing. Because Atkins falsely denied and frivolously contested much of his drug involvement at sentencing, the district court found that Atkins had not accepted responsibility for his offense. Co-defendant Perkins has pled guilty to the crack cocaine and heroin offense and is currently awaiting sentencing.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.

The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.