A Robinson, Illinois man, convicted of cocaine and gun charges, was sentenced to 262 months (21 years, 10 months), in federal prison on March 7, 2011, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Valentin C. Sanchez, age 29, of Robinson, Illinois, was convicted on December 2, 2010, following a three day jury trial in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois. Sanchez was convicted of three Counts in a federal Superseding Indictment. Count 1 charged that from 2006, to on or about July 19, 2009, Sanchez and others conspired to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, cocaine. Count 2 charged that on July 19, 2009, Sanchez knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine. Count 3 charged that in late June and July 2007, Sanchez was a convicted felon who possessed a firearm. All of the charges occurred in Robinson, Illinois.

At sentencing, the District Judge determined that Sanchez was a Career Offender because he had several prior drug felony offenses. Because Sanchez was a Career Offender, his sentencing range was higher under the Sentencing Guidelines.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Robinson, IL Police Department, the Crawford County State’s Attorney’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies pursuant to their participation in the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a joint and cooperative effort of the United States Attorney’s Office, and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies directed at removing guns and drugs from our communities.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.

 

 

 

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