Hannibal man sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for distribution of meth, other drugs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Orlando Webster, 40, of the 1900 block of Hope Street in Hannibal, Mo., was sentenced on Tuesday, Feb. 21, to 87 months in federal prison for two counts of facilitating the use of communication facilities in furtherance of illegal drug distribution. Upon release from imprisonment, Webster will serve a one-year term of supervised release.

At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, the government presented evidence that Webster facilitated drug deals by using a cellular phone. The offenses involved 549 grams of “Ice” methamphetamine, 226 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 2,544.2 grams of cannabis. The drugs were sent via commercial carrier from California and then distributed in Illinois and Missouri. 

Co-defendants Tommy Tran and Shawn Davis previously were sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment and 144 months’ imprisonment, respectively. Cases against three other co-defendants remain set for either sentencing or trial.

The statutory penalties for using a communication facility to commit a drug felony are up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a potential fine of up to $250,000.

The case investigation was conducted by the West Central Illinois Task Force, Illinois State Police and the Quincy Police Department, with assistance from law enforcement agencies in California and Missouri.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Jacobs represented the government in the prosecution.

The case against Webster is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.