A Rantoul,(IL) man was sentenced to 21 years in prison for delivery of Meth in Champaign County.  Artez L. Johnson was handed a 252 month prison term followed by seven years supervised release for possession with intent to deliver more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

United States District Judge Colin Bruce heard the case before a federal jury convicted Johnson in August of 2023. . At the trial, the government presented evidence establishing that on February 20, 2023, Johnson was pulled over during a traffic stop near the intersection of Maplewood and Grove Avenue in Rantoul.  Upon Johnson exiting the car, Rantoul police noticed a small bag of suspected cocaine on the driver’s seat. Officers searched the car and located approximately 330 grams of methamphetamine ice packed in three Ziplock bags in the center console. Johnson claimed ownership of the methamphetamine but claimed it was for personal use. The Government presented additional evidence that Johnson had sold methamphetamine to an individual for several months prior to Johnson’s arrest. Expert testimony was presented that 330 grams is a distribution amount, not a personal use amount.

94.1 WGFA