Lawrence County meth dealer sentenced to 15+ years’ imprisonment

BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Lawrenceville, Illinois, man to 188 months’ imprisonment for distributing meth in Lawrence County.

Jeffrey S. Metz, 49, pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of meth. Following imprisonment, he will serve four years of supervised release. He was sentenced Nov. 6.

“Trafficking drugs in any county of southern Illinois will earn dealers a federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

According to court documents, Metz admitted to distributing more than 25 grams of meth in Lawrence County in October and November 2024.

"The Illinois State Police is committed to stopping illegal drug trafficking and keeping dangerous drugs from flooding and hurting our communities," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.  " ISP is targeting drug traffickers and will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office to put them behind bars."

The Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force of the Illinois State Police, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and DEA contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.