Rock Island, Ill. - Rodger A. Heaton, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, announced that a federal grand jury has returned indictments charging two men with possessing firearms as convicted felons as well as drug offenses in separate, unrelated cases. The two cases are being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhood by Assistant U.S. Attorney John K. Mehochko with the cooperation of the Rock Island County State’s Attorney’s Office. The charges are the result of investigations by the Rock Island Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Reginald Shawnte Campbell, 34, of the 1500 block of 31st Street, Rock Island, Illinois, is charged with three offenses: possession with intent to distribute ecstasy (MDMA;) and possession of a .38 caliber pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and by a felon on April 25, 2008, in Rock Island. The indictment alleges Campbell has prior felony convictions for aggravated discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and possession of 30-500 grams of cannabis.

Darus Lannel Germaine White, 21, of the 3400 block of 9th Street, Rock Island, is charged with four counts: possession with intent to distribute at least five grams of crack cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a felon (two counts.) The indictment alleges that on March 28, 2008, White possessed crack cocaine and a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol in Rock Island. The indictment further alleges White possessed a Beretta .22 caliber pistol on or about February 23, 2008, also in Rock Island. According to the indictment, White has prior felony convictions in Illinois for possession of a controlled substance and aggravated fleeing from police and in Iowa for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and second degree criminal mischief.

If convicted, possession of a firearm by a felon carries a statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The penalty for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is a mandatory five years in prison to be served consecutive to any term of imprisonment for the underlying drug trafficking offense. For possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, the penalty is 10 years to life imprisonment; possession with intent to distribute ecstasy (MDMA) is punishable by a prison term of up to 20 years.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.