Peoria Felon Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Two Counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine

PEORIA, Ill. - A Peoria, Illinois, man, Felipe L. Hernandez, 32, was sentenced on June 26, 2026, to 120 months of federal imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for two counts of distribution of methamphetamine. The sentence for each count is to be served concurrently.

At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, the evidence showed Hernandez delivered methamphetamine on two occasions between June 11^th and July 23, 2025, and then delivered a look-alike substance on a third sale. Hernandez was arrested on September 17, 2025, and found to be in possession of additional narcotics. In total, Hernandez was accountable for the unlawful distribution of 28 grams of methamphetamine, 66.9 grams of methamphetamine (actual), .5 grams of oxycodone (actual), and 9.8 grams of cocaine base, resulting in 1,432.34 kilograms of converted drug weight.

Hernandez was indicted for one count of distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of 50 grams of more methamphetamine. He entered a guilty plea in February 2026 and has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest. Hernandez had prior criminal convictions that included armed robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

The statutory penalties for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine are 5 to 40 years imprisonment, followed by at least 4 years of supervised release and a possible fine of up to $5,000,000. Penalties for the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine are 10 years to life imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release sentence and a possible fine of up to $10,000,000.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA") Springfield Resident Office, Peoria Police Department, and Peoria Metropolitan Enforcement Group ("PMEG") investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.

The case against Hernandez is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.