A Jacksonville man facing federal drug trafficking charges has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Springfield.
Twenty-nine-year-old Christopher Robinson entered a guilty plea Tuesday to Count One of a federal indictment during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless.
The guilty plea stems from a federal indictment returned in June 2024 following a lengthy investigation by the Central Illinois Enforcement Group, the Jacksonville Police Department, and other participating law enforcement agencies.
Authorities executed a search warrant at a residence in the 600 block of East State Street in Jacksonville on May 13, 2024. According to the Jacksonville Police Department, investigators seized approximately 263 grams of methamphetamine, 166 grams of fentanyl, 817 grams of cannabis, 76 Xanax pills, 13 pint bottles of promethazine with dextromethorphan cough syrup, other prescription medications, and a small amount of psilocybin mushrooms.
Robinson was initially charged in Morgan County with multiple Class X felony offenses, including methamphetamine and fentanyl delivery charges, along with cannabis delivery. Those state charges were later dismissed in favor of federal prosecution after a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment on June 4, 2024.
Federal court records also note Robinson has previous felony convictions in Illinois, including a 2019 conviction for unlawful possession of Schedule I or II controlled substances and earlier convictions in 2015 for aggravated battery in a public place and reckless discharge of a firearm. Those prior convictions subjected him to enhanced federal sentencing penalties.
By pleading guilty to Count One of the indictment, Robinson now faces sentencing under federal guidelines. Robinson has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals since his June 2024 indictment. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 5th before Judge Lawless in Springfield.