Springfield Man Sentenced for Meth Distribution

A Springfield man has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, following a high-speed attempt to evade arrest and a cross-state manhunt.

Jessie Bates, 38, received the sentence last week, from U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless. He will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.

According to court records and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Bates sold more than 50 grams of methamphetamine to an individual and an undercover agent. When law enforcement attempted to arrest him, Bates fled, driving the wrong way down a busy one-way street at high speed. He later traveled to Georgia, where he was ultimately apprehended.

At the time of the federal offense, Bates was out on bond in a Sangamon County case involving aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Judge Lawless found that Bates qualified as a career offender and applied an obstruction of justice enhancement due to his actions during the attempted arrest, which recklessly created a substantial risk of serious injury or death.

Bates pleaded guilty in March 2025 and has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his January 2024 arrest.

“The only thing to be gained from a career as a drug dealer is a prison sentence,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger. “I appreciate the work of the ATF agents who came to central Illinois and went into the field to ensure this was a successful operation. Their work has made our community safer.”

“This case was a direct result of our Violent Crime Initiative and our strong partnership with the Springfield Police Department,” added ATF Chicago Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “Through our targeted and collaborative enforcement efforts, and with the unwavering support of retired Chief of Police Ken Scarlette, a violent drug trafficker is now off the streets and behind bars.”

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The Illinois State Police assisted at sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seberger prosecuted the case.