Kentucky man sentenced to federal prison in Illinois on drug and gun charges

A Kentucky man has been sentenced to federal prison in Illinois after his conviction on gun and drug charges.

A district Judge said that 45-year-old James W. Towery of Salem will have to spend 15 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and a count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said, “Armed drug dealers belong in federal prison. Southern Illinois communities are safer with this defendant locked up.”

Towery was stopped in Massac County in March of 2024 and was reportedly found with over 150 grams of meth and a .38 caliber pistol. With prior felony convictions, Towery was not allowed by law to have the gun.



Gavel photo courtesy of Joe Gratz public domain Flickr