Clinton County State’s Attorney J.D. Brandmeyer announced that on October 5, 2026, Guy A. Phipps was sentenced to thirty-five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Methamphetamine Trafficking (100-400 grams) (A Class X Felony). Phipps will be required to serve no less than 75% of his sentence. Phipps was also assessed a $15,000 fine. Phipps has remained in the custody of the Clinton County jail since his arrest on April 23, 2025, and received credit for 530 days served in jail, as of the date of sentencing. The sentence was issued by Circuit Judge Wesley Gozia.
On July 22, 2026, a Clinton County jury found Phipps guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of Methamphetamine Trafficking, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, and Unlawful Transportation/Possession of Alcoholic Liquor in a Motor Vehicle. At sentencing, the “lesser included” convictions merged into the Methamphetamine Trafficking conviction, resulting in Phipps being sentenced only on the Methamphetamine Trafficking conviction.
Testimony elicited at trial showed that on April 23, 2025, an Illinois State Police Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle due to the driver of the vehicle having an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Upon initiating contact with the occupants of the vehicle, the Trooper saw a methamphetamine pipe and an open container of alcohol in plain view within the vehicle. The vehicle was searched and the Troopers located 181.1 grams of methamphetamine within a green jacket on the seat next to Guy Phipps, the backseat passenger. The investigation concluded that, at the request of Phipps, the driver drove from the Marion, Illinois area to Berkeley, Missouri. Upon arrival at the destination in Berkeley, an individual approached the vehicle and handed Phipps an item believed to be the methamphetamine. The driver then proceeded back tot eh Marion, Illinois area when they were stopped by the Illinois State Police on Interstate 64 within Clinton County. The driver admitted that Phipps paid him cash to make the trip.
