Quincy man gets 10 years in prison for 2021 charge for distributing meth

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Michael Bell, 39, of the 800 block of North Eighth Street in Quincy, was sentenced on Friday, Nov. 18, to 10 years imprisonment for distributing methamphetamine in Quincy.

At the sentencing hearing in front of U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough, the government presented evidence that on Aug. 30 and Sept. 2, 2021, Bell knowingly and intentionally distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance. Bell has multiple prior drug convictions.

Bell was indicted in October 2021 and pleaded guilty in July 2022. He has remained in the custody of the United States Marshal since his arrest.

The statutory penalties for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) are up to life imprisonment, up to a $10 million fine and up to a life term of supervised release.

The West Central Illinois Task Force, Quincy Police Department and Illinois State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution.

The case against Bell 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. The Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.