ROCKFORD — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), published as received.
ROCKFORD — A Rockford man has been sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, and illegally possessing a firearm.
RISHAWN JONES admitted in a plea agreement that in May 2024 he possessed controlled substances in various locations, including his vehicle and a storage unit. The storage unit also contained a 9-millimeter pistol. This crime was committed while Jones was serving a term of court-supervised release following a prior federal prison sentence for distribution of heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime—a fact that the Court found to be an aggravating factor in sentencing Jones.
Jones, 40, pleaded guilty in 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, and more than 500 grams of cocaine, and illegally possessing a firearm. On May 21, 2026, U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston sentenced Jones to 14 years in federal prison.
The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Todd C. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Winnebago County, Ill. Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ladd.
