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Lawrence County man sentenced on federal meth charges

Monday, August 31, 2026 at 12:08 PM

By Steve Anderson

A Lawrence County (Ill.) man has been sentenced to federal prison after his conviction on methamphetamine and firearms violations.

47-year-old David Royce of Sumner was given 210 months (over 17 years) after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court to three counts of Methamphetamine Distribution, one count of Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, and a single count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

Royce was found to be in possession of meth in February of 2023 and sold the drug on three occasions in March, May, and October of 2025 in Lawrence and neighboring Richland Counties. During this period, he was also in possession of multiple firearms despite a prior felony conviction. He was taken into custody after an investigation in November of 2025.

His federal sentence will run concurrently with any prison term given in pending state cases in Lawrence and Richland Counties. In addition to his federal prison sentence, Royce will be under mandatory supervised release for 10 years and will pay a $500 fine.

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