A Hoopeston man was ordered to spend the rest of his life in federal prison for trafficking crystal meth and cocaine. in Champaign.

37-year-old Jose Jaime “JJ” Lopez was sentenced to a five-year term for violating federal supervised release. That’ll be served concurrently with the life term.

U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce handed down the life sentence.

In November of last year, a jury convicted Lopez of distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine and attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
During Lopez’ three-day trial, evidence was presented to show Lopez arranged to obtain about 10 ounces of crystal meth, also known as “ice,” with a Mexican drug cartel in Houston. Drug Enforcement Administration agents intercepted phone calls between Lopez and the cartel member.

On October 3, 2014, DEA agents and Champaign police seized 272.5 grams of nearly 100 percent pure crystal methamphetamine from a drug courier in Rantoul. The courier was transporting the crystal meth to Lopez in Hoopeston, so that Lopez could distribute it in central Illinois.

Agents also used a confidential informant to purchase two ounces of powder cocaine, 18 grams of ice and 30 grams of ice, respectively, from Lopez in Champaign.

Agents executed a search warrant at Lopez’ Hoopeston residence and found numerous items associated with drug trafficking.

Court records also show Lopez was on federal supervised release for a 2002 federal drug trafficking conviction.
Lopez also has a prior felony drug conviction in Texas and two convictions in Vermilion County for aggravated battery of a police officer and driving under the influence of alcohol.

{courtesy: Dept of Justice}

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