Battle Creek Man Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Drug Trafficking

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Khilon Shaquille Samuel, 29, of Battle Creek, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after being convicted of Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute.

          “My office is working closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to disrupt illegal drug trafficking rings that are pushing poison onto our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “We are committed to holding traffickers fully accountable to help keep our neighborhoods safe.”

          Police intercepted Samuel as he returned from Detroit to the Battle Creek area on April 30, 2022, and recovered more than 17 pounds of methamphetamine in his car.  Investigators executed a search warrant at Samuel’s home later that day and found an additional 183 grams of methamphetamine, approximately one-quarter kilogram of fentanyl, as well as 29 rounds of ammunition. 

          “Methamphetamine is an addictive and destructive substance. The amount of fentanyl seized in this case could potentially kill 125,000 people,” Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of Detroit Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold those who distribute illicit drugs accountable for their actions.”

          “The Battle Creek Police Department takes great pride in maintaining productive relationships with our federal partners,” said Shannon Bagley, BCPD Police Chief. “This is an outstanding example of how these partnerships lead to successful prosecutions which help make the City of Battle Creek a safer place to live.”

          “HSI is made exponentially stronger due to the valuable partnerships we maintain,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “The success of this investigation and many others is a direct reflection of the professionalism and dedication of HSI, and our law enforcement partners who refuse to allow criminals, like Samuel, to continue to funnel narcotics into our communities. Those partnerships and the mission to remove drug traffickers are vital to ridding neighborhoods of dangerous narcotics and improving public safety.”

          This case was investigated by the Battle Creek Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Michigan State Police.

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