Two area men sentenced to time in federal prison for roles in meth conspiracy

Jonathan R. Moore, also known as “J-Mo,” 34, of Carbondale, and Elijah S. Lacy, also known as “E,” 35, of Murphysboro have been sentenced to serve time in federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy. 

The sentences were announced Wednesday, Feb. 12, by the U.S. Department of Justice’s U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois.

Both Moore and Lacy previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. 

The alleged offenses occurred in Jackson County between December 2018 and January 2019.

Evidence at the plea hearings established that Moore and Lacy were involved with others in the distribution of ice. 

Ice is methamphetamine with a purity level of at least 80 percent. 

Moore had multiple packages of ice mailed from California to Jackson County residences. 

Moore, Lacy and others then distributed the ice in Southern Illinois. 

In late January 2019, Moore arranged to have approximately 56 pounds of ice mailed from California to three Jackson County residences. Lacy received one of the shipments.

The district court found Lacy responsible for distributing approximately 12.6 kilograms of ice and sentenced him to 235 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $700 in fines. 

Moore, who was found responsible for distributing approximately 24 kilograms of ice, was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment, five years of supervised release and $400 in fines.

A third man, co-defendant Kenton Murillo, also known as “Nephew,” has also pleaded guilty to his role in the methamphetamine conspiracy but has not yet been sentenced.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Carbondale Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Murphysboro Police Department, Illinois State Police, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and the Jackson County state’s attorney’s office.