Michigan City Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison

SOUTH BEND - Jalen Wilson, 33 years old, of Michigan City, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Wilson was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on two separate occasions, Wilson sold fentanyl to another person. On another occasion, Wilson sold a firearm that was affixed with a machinegun conversion device. Wilson has a prior federal felony conviction for conspiring to distribute heroin and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.

"Jalen Wilson decided to ignore the lessons he should have learned during his first trip through the federal criminal justice system," said U.S. Attorney Mildred. "Instead, he escalated by diversifying his illicit business into to fentanyl and firearms. Thankfully, the committed public servants with DEA, ATF, LaPorte County Drug Task Force, and our Office brought this recidivist drug dealer to justice. I commend them all for their efforts."

"Fentanyl remains the country's deadliest drug threat, claiming nearly 50,000 lives last year. The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with its law enforcement and prosecution partners, will continue to hold accountable anyone who is cruel and evil enough to drive more Americans towards the poison of fentanyl. Mr. Wilson will have much time in a federal penitentiary to think of the lives he destroyed; and hopefully he will discern ways to be a productive member of society once he is free again," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke.

"Every machinegun conversion device taken off the streets is a potential mass shooting prevented. The sentence imposed in this case reflects the seriousness of these offenses as well as the threat dangerous drugs and illegal machinegun conversion devices pose in our community. ATF, alongside our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney's Office, will continue to work together to ensure these violent offenders are held accountable," said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Andrew A. Krumwied.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy 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.