Jalen Wilson, a 33-year-old resident of Michigan City, was sentenced on April 1 to 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco imposed the sentence, which also includes four years of supervised release, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
The case is significant because it addresses both drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession, issues that continue to impact public safety in the region. Prosecutors said Wilson had previously been convicted of conspiring to distribute heroin at the federal level and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
According to court documents, Wilson sold fentanyl on two separate occasions and later sold a firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device. “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 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.”
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke commented on the dangers posed by fentanyl: “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.” ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon added: “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… will continue to work together to ensure these violent offenders are held accountable.”
The investigation was conducted by agents from both federal agencies—the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)—with assistance from local authorities at LaPorte County Drug Task Force.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together law enforcement agencies at all levels with community organizations aiming at reducing violent crime through trust-building measures—an approach strengthened since May 2021.
