U.S. DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT, ILLINOIS—On December 16, 2014, Johnathan T. Buck, a/k/a “Buffalo,” 40, of Carbondale, Illinois, was sentenced on a federal crack cocaine violation, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Buck, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment, charging conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years’ supervised release, and fined $200.00. The offense occurred between 2013 and March 2014, in Jackson County. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Buck was involved with co-defendant Maurice Christian, a/k/a “Reece,” and others in the distribution of crack cocaine in Carbondale. Buck and his associates were transporting crack cocaine from northern Illinois to Carbondale for distribution. On multiple occasions, Buck sold crack cocaine to a confidential source working for law enforcement. At sentencing, the district court found that Buck was responsible for 638 grams of crack cocaine. Buck’s sentence was enhanced because he possessed a firearm during his participation in the crack cocaine offense. Christian has pled guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Carbondale Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.