Jury Convicts Normal Illinois Man For Crack Cocaine And Marijuana Distribution Conspiracy

Peoria, Ill. – A Normal, Ill., man, Richard George Martin, 34, faces mandatory life in prison following his conviction today in federal court in Peoria.  Trial in the case began on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013.  The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before finding Martin guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and 50 kilograms of marijuana from 1999 to 2011. 

Martin’s conviction is the latest as a result of "Operation Prairie Eagle," a cooperative investigation targeting distribution of crack cocaine and marijuana in the Bloomington‑Normal area.  The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation was led by the Normal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Greggory R. Walters is prosecuting the defendants charged as a result of the “Prairie Eagle” investigation, and was joined at trial by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Campbell.  Since 2011, “Operation Prairie Eagle” has resulted in the conviction of 22 defendants for conspiracy to distribute and the distribution of controlled substances in the Bloomington-Normal area. 

Martin is scheduled to be sentenced on Apr. 7, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm.  Martin remains detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.