Steven D. Weinhoeft is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois | Official photo
Steven D. Weinhoeft is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois | Official photo
A Centralia man has been sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison after admitting to distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Jackie T. Scanlan, 54, pleaded guilty to two counts related to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
“This career offender built a life around selling dangerous narcotics and has a criminal history spanning over three decades of drug distribution,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “While he continued to make poor decisions following previous stints of incarceration, Scanlan’s 17-year federal prison sentence will help to protect the public from any further crimes.”
Court records show that law enforcement began investigating Scanlan in February 2024 for distributing drugs from a motel room. During an initial traffic stop, authorities found 79 grams of methamphetamine, 24 fentanyl capsules, and two scales in his vehicle.
“Our success in combating drug trafficking in southern Illinois is a direct result of the collaboration both within the FBI Springfield's Southern Illinois TOC-W Task Force and outside it with our dedicated partners,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. S. Johnson. “By combining our resources, we're able to effectively seize drugs and firearms, and arrest those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”
In March 2024, Scanlan admitted to traveling from Centralia to St. Louis to buy at least a pound of methamphetamine and additional fentanyl capsules. Another traffic stop led officers to recover 232 grams of methamphetamine and another bag containing fentanyl capsules.
Scanlan was classified as a "career offender" under federal sentencing guidelines due to several previous convictions for drug trafficking and other felonies, making him eligible for a longer prison term.
After serving his sentence, Scanlan will be subject to four years of supervised release.
The investigation was led by the FBI Springfield Field Office TOC-West Task Force with support from the Centralia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Reppert prosecuted the case.
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