Former Illinois Man Sentenced to 294 Months in Prison for Methamphetamine and Firearm Convictions

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. –Shawn Michael Pfister, 44, formerly of Illinois, was sentenced on November 22, 2022, to 234 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and a consecutive term of 60 months’ imprisonment for carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, for a total of 294 months’ imprisonment. The court further ordered Pfister, who prior to his arrest was living in the 2600 block of West Street in Pueblo, Colorado, to serve five years of supervised release after he is released.  

At the sentencing hearing in front of U.S. District Chief Judge Sara Darrow, the government emphasized Pfister’s role in large-scale drug trafficking, bringing kilogram-sized quantities from out of state to the Quad Cities for resale.

Also at the hearing, Judge Darrow commented on the significant impact methamphetamine dealing can have on the community and end users.

Pfister pleaded guilty to the charges on November 1, 2018. The statutory penalty for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine is a minimum term of ten years to life imprisonment. The penalty for carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime is a minimum of five years to life imprisonment, which must be served consecutive to any other charges.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group, the Moline Police Department, and the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Mathew represented the government in the prosecution.