Fowler man receives 15-year prison sentence for possession of weapons, methamphetamine with intent to deliver

QUINCY — Dennis L. Hernandez, 63, of Fowler was sentenced Friday, April 4, to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Hernandez, represented by Public Defender John Citro, agreed to a negotiated plea. Circuit Judge Holly Henze sentenced Hernandez to 10 years for possession of weapons by felon, a Class 3 felony, and 15 years for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, an amended charge of a Class 1 felony. The sentences will be served concurrently.

A charge of delivery of methamphetamine, a Class X felony, was dismissed as part of the negotiated plea.

Investigators with the West Central Illinois Task Force — comprised of officers from the Illinois State Police, the Quincy Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office — executed a search warrant on July 31, 2024, at 1339 N. 1720^th Avenue in Fowler. Multiple firearms were located, as well as an approximate half pound of methamphetamine.  Hernandez admitted to investigators he had been selling methamphetamine to between 5 and 10 people a week. He admitted to having traded methamphetamine earlier in the week for the firearms found during the search.

Hernandez had three prior delivery/manufacturing of drug charges, and he last went to prison in 2011. 

“I commend the investigators from the West Central Illinois Task Force for their tireless efforts in the investigation and arrest of individuals who flood our streets with illegal and dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine,” Adams County State’s Attorney Todd Eyler said in a press release. “Through their joint efforts every day, dangerous drugs are removed from our streets, and our county is a safer place to live.”