Skip to main content
Press Release

Williamson County Resident Sentenced to 30 Years Imprisonment for Cocaine Offense

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois

 

On September 19, 2017, Tyree M. Neal, Jr., 30, of Marion, was sentenced to federal prison for a cocaine offense, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.

Neal, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute cocaine, was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 6 years’ supervised release, and was fined $400.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that, from at least 2012, through August 2014, Neal was involved with others in the distribution of cocaine in Williamson County. On multiple occasions, Neal sold cocaine to confidential sources working for law enforcement. On September 12, 2014, federal and local law enforcement attempted to arrest Neal on a federal drug warrant. Neal fled from the police in his vehicle, almost striking a police officer and ramming into a police vehicle. Neal then led authorities on a 17 mile, high-speed pursuit, traveling at speeds in excess of 100 m.p.h. and forcing other vehicles off the road. After Neal crashed his vehicle in rural Williamson County, he carjacked a van that was occupied by a young female and three minor children. Additional evidence established that Neal tried to recruit other persons to kill certain witnesses that had cooperated against him. At sentencing, the district court found that Neal was responsible for the distribution of more than 13.4 kilograms of cocaine and 5.9 grams of crack cocaine. Neal’s sentence was enhanced based on his use of violence, obstruction of justice, and reckless endangerment to others while fleeing from the police. Neal has an extensive criminal history and was classified as a Career Offender.

The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The Marion Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Marshals Service also assisted in the investigation

Updated September 20, 2017

Topic
Drug Trafficking