Peoria Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on Two Counts of Distributing “Ice” Methamphetamine (DOJ)

PEORIA, Ill. - A Peoria, Illinois man, Christopher William Crawford, 32, of the 1400 block of West Covington Court, was sentenced on January 7, 2026, to 120 months imprisonment on each of two counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). The sentences will be served concurrently, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Crawford must also pay a $200 special assessment fee. The Court ordered Crawford's sentence to be served concurrent to any term of imprisonment imposed in Peoria County Circuit Court.

At the sentencing hearing, uncontroverted evidence showed that in September 2024, Crawford sold controlled substances on two occasions in the Peoria area. On both occasions, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms found the drugs tested as "ice" methamphetamine. In total, Crawford was responsible for the distribution of at least 174.2 grams of ice methamphetamine.

Crawford was indicted and arrested in October 2024. He entered a guilty plea in March 2025.

The statutory penalties for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) are 10 years to life, followed by up to 5 years of supervised release.

The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriff's Department; Illinois Department of Corrections; and the Illinois State Police, investigated the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.