Jury Convicts Rock Island Man for Heroin Distribution Resulting in Death

Rock Island, Ill. – A jury deliberated for two hours today before returning guilty verdicts on all counts against Phil Trent, 51, of Rock Island, Ill. Trent was charged with distribution of heroin resulting in death, three counts of distributing heroin, and conspiring to distribute heroin resulting in death. U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow scheduled sentencing for Nov. 3, 2016.  Trent remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The trial began on June 27. Over four days of testimony, the government presented evidence that Trent conspired with others to distribute heroin in the Rock Island area from early July through September 2014.  During the trial, the government presented evidence that Trent distributed heroin on August 13, October 1, and October 2, 2014, either directly or through co-conspirators, to undercover agents. Evidence was also presented that Trent distributed the heroin that resulted in the death of Tyler Corzette on Aug. 29, 2014.  Corzette was 21 years old at the time of his death.

Two other defendants, Kyle Hull and Curtis Land, were also charged in connection with Corzette’s death.  Both Hull and Land pled guilty on May 19, 2015, and are scheduled for sentencing on July 21, 2016.

The Rock Island Police Department, with assistance from the Quad City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, investigated the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Don Allegro and Meredith DeCarlo are prosecuting the case.

The statutory penalty for distribution of heroin resulting in death is a mandatory minimum term of 20 years, and up to life, in prison, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.  The statutory maximum penalty for each count of heroin distribution is 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.  The statutory penalty for conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death is a mandatory minimum term of 20 years, and up to life, in prison, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.