Quincy man sentenced in federal court to eight years in prison for distributing methamphetamine

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Demetrius Fernando, 46, of the 2200 block of Ohio in Quincy, recently was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough to eight years in prison, to be followed by 48 months of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine.

At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Fernando distributed more than five grams of methamphetamine in 2020 on two occasions in Quincy. He has multiple prior state-controlled substances convictions.

Fernando was indicted in March 2020 and pleaded guilty in April 2023. He has been in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since March 2020.

The statutory penalties for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) are up to 40 years’ imprisonment, up to a $5 million fine and up to a life term of supervised release.

The West Central Illinois Task Force, Quincy Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution.