Prairie State Wire

Darell Reed, a 35-year-old inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Illinois, received an additional 15-month prison sentence on August 5, 2025. The sentence was imposed for possession of a prohibited object while incarcerated and will be served consecutively to his current federal sentence for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

During the sentencing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, prosecutors detailed an incident from March 10, 2024. On that date, Reed received a visit at FCI-Pekin during which an object was exchanged between him and the visitor. After being monitored by prison staff, Reed was found in possession of two small orange balloons containing 30 orange pieces of film wrapped in cellophane. These strips were later identified as Suboxone and buprenorphine—both Schedule III controlled substances—which are banned within the prison.

According to federal law, inmates found guilty of possessing contraband can face up to five years in prison in addition to their existing sentences, fines up to $250,000, a mandatory special assessment of $100, and supervised release terms not exceeding three years.

The investigation into this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Springfield Field Office along with the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz prosecuted the case.

At sentencing, the court ordered Reed to pay a special assessment of $100.

"The statutory penalties for possession of contraband by an inmate are not more than five years imprisonment, to be served consecutive to the existing term of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, a mandatory special assessment of $100, and not more than three years supervised release."

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