Bardolph man sentenced to 15 years, 8 months in federal prison for methamphetamine distribution

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Shawn Thomas Connelly, 48, of the 100 block of Jackson in Bardolph was sentenced on Thursday, Feb. 23 to 188 months of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

At the sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow found Connelly was involved in a conspiracy to knowingly distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams of “ice” methamphetamine. Connelly pleaded guilty to the charges on March 23, 2021, and has been in custody since his arrest on September 16, 2020.

Connelly’s other co-defendants were sentenced on October 27, 2022, to multi-year terms in federal prison.

John William Yates, 56, of the 700 block of North Jackson Street in Bushnell, Illinois, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Christopher Allen Yates, 39, of the 1500 block of Jones Street in Joliet, Illinois, was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Jeanna Rechkemmer, 36, of the 600 block of East Osborne Street in Bushnell, was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Amber Michelle Phelps, 31, of the 600 block of Sherry Street, in Colchester, Illinois, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Jerel Jay Guarin, 44, of the 600 block of Sherry Street in Colchester, was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

Amanda Sue Edwards, 42, of the 200 block of Poplar Street in Bardolph, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Trenton Lee Sealock, 28, of the 100 block of South Jackson Street in Bardolph, was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

The statutory penalty for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine is a mandatory minimum term of 10 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, to be followed by at least five years of supervised release. The statutory penalty for distribution of methamphetamine is up to a maximum of 20 years in prison, followed by at least three years of supervised release.

“This sentencing brings to a close another important methamphetamine prosecution and is an example of the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Mathew said in a press release. “The scourge methamphetamine can have, especially on smaller rural communities, is reflected in the significant penalties imposed in this case.”

“Methamphetamine has plagued our communities and region for many years, and a multitude of adults and children have been negatively impacted by the presence of this substance,” said Jerel Jones, chief of the Macomb Police Department. “We will tirelessly labor to prevent the usage, sale, and delivery of this drug, as the safety and well-being of our residents remains a priority.”

The Macomb Police Department and the McDonough County Sheriff’s Department investigated this case with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the cooperation of the McDonough County State’s Attorney’s Office.