Williamson County Man Sentenced on Methamphetamine and Firearm Offenses

On March 8, 2018, Johnathan D. Long, 41, of Johnston City was sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine and firearm offenses, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.

Long, who had previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, was sentenced to a total term of 144 months of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release. The offenses occurred between December 2016 and January 23, 2017, in Williamson County. Evidence at the plea and sentence hearings established that Long was involved with co-defendant Julian Rodriguez and others in the distribution of ice. Ice is methamphetamine which has a purity level of at least 80%.

On January 20, 2017, Long sold ice to a confidential source that was working for law enforcement. At the time of the drug sale, Long was armed with a firearm. When agents executed a search warrant at the Johnson City residence of Long and Rodriguez, they recovered multiple firearms, over 200 grams of ice, cannabis, and a large amount of U.S. currency. At sentencing, the judge found that Long was responsible for the distribution of approximately 907 grams of ice. Long received a sentencing enhancement for maintaining a residence for the distribution of drugs. Co-defendant Rodriguez was previously sentenced to 188 months of imprisonment for his involvement in the methamphetamine and firearm offenses.

The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County States Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.