A Peoria man, Terrance J. Shaw, aged 43, has been sentenced to 102 months in federal prison for heroin and cocaine trafficking offenses involving firearms, as well as for violating the terms of his federal supervised release. The sentence also includes a six-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment.
During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley heard evidence that in early March 2024, Peoria Police responded to two ShotSpotter alerts on Lasalle Street. Officers found shell casings and focused their investigation on a residence linked to Shaw. At that time, Shaw was already on federal supervised release for trafficking crack cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon.
On March 7, 2024, agents from the Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force and Peoria Police executed a search warrant at Shaw’s home. They discovered 82 grams of heroin, 10 grams of cocaine, 312 grams of cannabis, drug packaging materials, digital scales with cocaine residue, multiple cellphones, a 9mm pistol with ammunition, an AR-15 rifle with .223 caliber ammunition, and over $14,000 in cash.
In March 2024, a criminal complaint was filed against Shaw. A federal grand jury indicted him on March 19 for drug trafficking and firearms offenses. By August 2024, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. He also admitted to violating his supervised release by committing these new offenses.
Shaw's total sentence is composed of terms for drug trafficking and gun offenses along with imprisonment for violating supervised release.
The statutory penalties for possession with intent to distribute the quantities involved are up to 30 years imprisonment followed by six years of supervised release. For possessing a firearm during drug trafficking crimes, penalties range from five years to life imprisonment followed by two to five years of supervised release. Imprisonment on the firearm count must be served consecutively.
The case was investigated by the Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force which includes agents from several law enforcement agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Peoria Police Department; Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Corrections; and Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities they serve. The program focuses on fostering trust within communities while supporting organizations that prevent violence before it occurs.