Champaign Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Cocaine Offenses

Urbana, Ill. – U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce has ordered a Champaign, Ill., man, Jerry Minnieweather, 38, to serve 15 years in federal prison for possession and distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in 2015. Minnieweather, who appeared before Judge Bruce on May 15, was also ordered to remain on supervised release for eight years following completion of his prison sentence.

On Jan. 17, 2017, Minnieweather, last known address 2100 block of Southwood Drive, pled guilty to the four offenses charged in the indictment: distribution of cocaine (two counts); possession with intent to deliver 28 or more grams of crack cocaine; and, possession of cocaine. The drug offenses occurred in June and July 2015.

According to court documents, Minnieweather has two prior drug felony convictions in Champaign county, in 1996 and 1997. Minnieweather has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest on July 15, 2015.

Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller prosecuted the case. The Champaign Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.