Centralia, Illinois, Man Sentenced to 15 Years of Imprisonment For Drug and Gun Charges

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Centralia, Illinois, man, Charles R. Hays, 45, of the 400 block of Clarida Drive, was sentenced on December 14, 2022, to 15 years of imprisonment after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 50 or more grams of actual methamphetamine; possession with the intent to distribute 5 or more grams of actual methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

At the sentencing hearing in front of U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, the government presented evidence that on October 15, 2019, Hays was arrested following a traffic stop near Owaneco, Illinois, and found in possession of 60.3 grams of 94% pure methamphetamine. Several weeks later, on November 27, 2019, Hays was again arrested following a second traffic stop in Taylorville, Illinois, and found in possession of 8.8 grams of 94% pure methamphetamine and a Smith and Wesson .38 Special, Model 36 revolver, loaded with five rounds of ammunition. Hays has prior felony convictions and was previously sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Hays was indicted in March 2020 and pleaded guilty to all three charges in October 2021.

The Illinois State Police; Taylorville Police Department; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Springfield Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Bass represented the government in the prosecution.