A U.S. District Judge in Urbana has sentenced a Hoopeston man to life in prison for distributing crystal meth and cocaine. Thirty-seven year old Jose Jaime Lopez, also known as ‘JJ’, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Colin Bruce.
On November 3rd, 2016 a jury found Lopez guilty of distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. During a three day trial the government presented evidence to establish that Lopez arranged with a Mexican drug cartel member in Houston to obtain approximately 10 ounces of crystal methamphetamine…also known as ‘ice’. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration intercepted phone calls between Lopez and the drug cartel member.
On October 3rd, 2014, DEA Agents and Champaign Police seized 272.5 grams of nearly 100-percent pure crystal methamphetamine from a drug courier in Rantoul. Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick Hansen says the courier was taking the crystal meth to Lopez in Hoopeston so Lopez could distribute it in Central Illinois.
At the time of the drug trafficking offenses, Lopez was on federal supervised release for a 2002 federal drug trafficking conviction, as well as state bond for aggravated fleeing from a police officer. Lopez also has a prior felony drug conviction in Texas, as well as two Vermilion County, Illinois convictions for aggravated battery of a police officer and driving under the influence of alcohol.
