Indiana Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm Offenses Occurring in Illinois

Craig Wayne Wilson, also known as "Nathaniel R. Smith," 40, a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana, was sentenced in federal court today to 120 months in prison for drug and firearm offenses, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Steven D. Weinhoeft, announced. Wilson previously pleaded guilty on December 6, 2017, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence includes a four-year term of supervised release immediately following Wilson’s imprisonment.

According to court documents, law enforcement learned that Wilson, who had outstanding arrest warrants in Indiana, was at a motel in Marshall, Illinois. Deputies with the United States Marshals Service, assisted by the Marshall Police Department and the Illinois State Police, went to the motel on the afternoon of October 7, 2016, and learned Wilson checked into the motel as "Nathaniel R. Smith" and was in his assigned room. Law enforcement entered the room to arrest Wilson, and when removing him from the bed, found a fully loaded Taurus .380 semi-automatic pistol by Wilson’s thigh. Wilson has a prior felony conviction from Vigo County, Indiana, for dealing in methamphetamine and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Law enforcement also found 24.1 grams of methamphetamine of 92% purity, commonly known as "ice," in Wilson’s possession.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation following Wilson’s arrest and presented the case to the United States Attorney’s Office. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.