Juan Esquivel Bernal, the leader of a methamphetamine distribution group in Central Illinois, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for his involvement in conspiracy to distribute and possess a large quantity of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Todd C. Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Chicago Field Division, and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois.
According to the evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Bernal operated as the leader of the distribution group between February 2019 and May 2022. He coordinated shipments of methamphetamine from Mexico to his farm in Atlanta, Illinois, and used the farm as a storage facility for the drug. Bernal supplied methamphetamine to various other distributors during this time.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted 13 controlled buys from distributors working for Bernal between June 2021 and April 2022, resulting in the seizure of over three kilograms of methamphetamine. A search warrant executed at Bernal’s farm in May 2022 led to the discovery of firearms, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, and an additional approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine. In total, over eight kilograms of highly pure methamphetamine were recovered.
The investigation also revealed that Bernal possessed firearms and made threats against his co-conspirators and their families to prevent them from leaving the drug distribution conspiracy.
Bernal and four co-defendants were indicted in May 2022, with Bernal entering into a plea agreement in January 2023. He has been in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since his arrest.
The statutory penalties for conspiracy to distribute and possess methamphetamine range from 10 years to life in prison, followed by five years to life of supervised release.
Three of Bernal’s co-defendants have either been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation into Bernal’s activities was led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from various law enforcement agencies including the Pekin Police Department, Peoria Police Department, Illinois State Police, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Peoria Multi-County Enforcement Group, Central Illinois Enforcement Group, Rock County, Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office, United States Postal Service, United States Marshals Service, National Guard Counter Drug, DCI Digital Evidence Recovery, and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Hollingshead-Cook, along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine G. Legge and the Tazewell and Fulton County State’s Attorney’s Offices, represented the United States in the prosecution of this case.
This case is part of a larger Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States. For more information about the OCDETF program, visit https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
In conclusion, Juan Esquivel Bernal, the leader of a methamphetamine distribution group operating in Central Illinois, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for his involvement in conspiracy to distribute and possess methamphetamine. This sentencing reflects the government’s commitment to combatting drug trafficking and holding individuals accountable for their criminal activities. The investigation and prosecution involved collaboration among various law enforcement agencies in an effort to dismantle the drug distribution network and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
