ROCKFORD — A Winnebago County man has been indicted on federal firearm and drug trafficking charges.
XZAVIOR SMITH, 22, of Roscoe, Ill., is charged with possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Smith was arrested Thursday.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office, Freeport Police Department, Roscoe Police Department, and Beloit Police Department’s Crime Interdiction Team provided valuable assistance in the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ladd.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The drug possession charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while the illegal firearm possession charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. If Smith is convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.