Illinois Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Drug Trafficking & Illegal Gun Possession

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Myron Macon, 50, Hazel Crest, Illinois was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 9 years in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine, possessing crack cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Macon pleaded guilty to these charges on June 1, 2022.

On five occasions in January and February 2021, Dane County Narcotics Task Force (DCNTF) officers purchased crack cocaine from Macon in Madison, Wisconsin.  The quantities ranged from 31 to 51 grams per buy. 

On March 2, 2021, DCNTF officers executed search warrants at two drug houses operated by Macon and co-defendant, Chaz Morris, in Madison.  They leased the residences using aliases.  At the residence leased by Macon, officers found 42 grams of fentanyl, 48 grams of crack cocaine, 206 grams of marijuana, a Taurus 9mm handgun in a safe with loaded magazines, over $33,000 in cash, four digital scales, and numerous cell phones.  Macon was arrested at the residence. 

Macon’s DNA was found on the Taurus firearm.  Macon was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions. 

At sentencing, Judge Conley highlighted Macon’s lengthy prior history of drug trafficking and firearm possession.  He noted that Macon continues to take advantage of other addicts through trafficking hard drugs.  Judge Conley said Macon continuing to deal drugs and possess guns was a recipe for disaster.

Co-defendant Chaz Morris pleaded guilty to possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm as a felon and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison by Judge Conley on August 17, 2022. 

The charges against Macon and Morris were the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Madison Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.