Three individuals connected to the distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Galesburg area have been convicted or sentenced in federal court following an investigation conducted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with a Task Force Officer assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force (TOC West).
The investigation identified individuals responsible for trafficking controlled substances into Knox County for distribution throughout the region. Investigators determined that narcotics were being sourced from outside the area and transported into Knox County for further distribution. Investigations such as this play a critical role in disrupting the flow of dangerous narcotics into Knox County and protecting the safety of our communities.
As a result of this investigation, the following individuals were arrested and subsequently prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois:
Juan Pablo Garcia, age 30, of Galesburg, Illinois, was convicted following a four-day federal jury trial and remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Garcia faces a statutory sentencing range of fifteen years to life imprisonment, followed by a minimum of ten years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2026, in the United States District Court in Rock Island, Illinois.
Edgar Calderon, age 33, of Galesburg, Illinois, was also convicted following a four-day federal jury trial and remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Calderon faces a statutory sentencing range of ten years to life imprisonment, followed by a term of supervised release ranging from five years up to life. Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2026, in the United States District Court in Rock Island, Illinois.
Robert J. Strong, age 45, was sentenced on January 28, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois to 240 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. The federal sentence was ordered to run concurrently with Knox County Case No. 24-CF-154. Following sentencing, Strong was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office and its Task Force Officer assigned to the FBI Transnational Organized Crime Task Force (TOC West) conducted the arrests associated with this investigation. Assisting agencies included the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Springfield Field Office, the Galesburg Police Department, the Nacogdoches County (Texas) Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda Searle and Jennifer L. Mathew represented the United States during trial proceedings.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to all assisting agencies whose cooperation and resources contributed to the successful outcome of this investigation. The Sheriff’s Office also offers a special acknowledgment to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois for its continued partnership, prosecutorial guidance during the investigation, and representation of the United States throughout the trial proceedings.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working collaboratively with local, state, and federal partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt criminal organizations responsible for distributing illegal narcotics within Knox County and the surrounding communities.
***Courtesy of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page***
