Timewell man sentenced to five years in federal prison on methamphetamine distribution charges

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Thomas L. Langan, 58, of the 1800 block of East Street in Timewell, recently was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.

At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that the defendant sold 100 percent pure methamphetamine from his residence in Brown County on multiple occasions, culminating in a search warrant of the residence resulting in federal prosecution.

The months-long investigation also resulted in the forfeiture of Langan’s residence by the Brown County State’s Attorney, due to its use in the trafficking of methamphetamine. Evidence was presented that Langan had a prior conviction from Brown County relating to manufacturing methamphetamine at the residence in 2013.

Langan was indicted in May 2022 and pleaded guilty in September 2022. He has been detained by the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest.

The statutory penalties for distribution of more than five grams of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute more than five grams of methamphetamine are not less than five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and up to a $5 million fine. The statutory penalties for distribution of methamphetamine are up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and up to a $1 million fine.

“Ice methamphetamine’s rampant use in central Illinois places a burden on everyone. Our society’s health care systems, social services and law enforcement have suffered the devastating impact of pure methamphetamine on communities in central Illinois,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Illinois State Police West Central Illinois Task Force investigated the case with assistance from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Brown County State’s Attorney. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.