Darell Reed, 35, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Illinois, received a 15-month prison sentence and a $100 special assessment for possessing a prohibited object in prison. The sentence will be served consecutively to his current federal term for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
During the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, evidence was presented that on March 10, 2024, Reed received an object from a visitor at FCI-Pekin. After monitoring Reed, personnel recovered two small orange balloons containing 30 orange pieces of film wrapped in cellophane. The strips were identified as Suboxone and buprenorphine—both Schedule III controlled substances—which are not allowed in the facility.
According to statutory guidelines, possession of contraband by an inmate can result in up to five years’ imprisonment—served consecutively—a fine of up to $250,000, a mandatory $100 special assessment, and up to three years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Springfield Field Office and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz prosecuted the case.
