EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A federal judge in southern Illinois has sentenced De’Andre Owens, a 37-year-old man from Centralia, to 30 years in prison for his involvement in drug distribution, unlawful firearm possession, and witness tampering.
In February 2024, Owens was convicted by a jury on charges of distributing methamphetamine and tampering with a witness, victim, or informant. This followed his February 2022 guilty plea to a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.
“Felons who continue to sell drugs, possess firearms illegally, and attempt to pay off witnesses to conceal their crimes pose a significant threat to public safety. I commend the law enforcement officers who worked diligently on this investigation, which ultimately resulted in De’Andre Owens being placed behind bars,” stated U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.
Court documents and trial evidence revealed that Owens sold 18 grams of methamphetamine in March 2022. Additionally, he attempted to bribe an individual to prevent their testimony in his case. Owens, with a previous felony drug conviction from 2016, was prohibited from possessing a firearm. However, in December 2019, a search warrant executed on Owens’s vehicle led to the discovery of a 9mm pistol.
“This substantial sentence underscores De’Andre Owens’ criminal history as a career offender,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jermaine Deans. “The successful outcome of this investigation is a testament to the collaborative efforts and teamwork of multiple law enforcement agencies working shoulder-to-shoulder with the FBI to ensure safer communities.”
Following his imprisonment, Owens will serve eight years of supervised release.