A federal jury has found a man guilty of possession of a large amount of cannabis with intent to distribute.
On Wednesday, March 23, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the United States Drug Enforcement Administration-Chicago (DEA) and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris announced the guilty verdict.
A DEA press release states that 25-year-old Houston resident Muhammad Usama knowingly possessed 100 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing cannabis and intended to distribute it.
According to the DEA, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Z. Weir and Sarah E. Seberger brought evidence to court during a three-day testimony showing that Usama traveled from California in a recreational vehicle containing nearly 1,000 pounds of cannabis.
Law enforcement interrupted Usama’s journey, seized the cannabis, and took the man into custody in Jacksonville, Illinois.
DEA says that Usama remains in U.S. Marshal custody and faces statutory penalties of up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a life term of supervised release, and a $5,000,000 fine.
The Department of Homeland Security, DEA, Illinois State Police, Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, South Jacksonville Police Department, and the Jacksonville Police department conducted the case investigation.
The Morgan County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the case.
DEA has scheduled a sentencing date at the Springfield federal courthouse on September 9, 2022.
