Fairbury Man gets 15-20 Years for Drug Distribution

What began as a traffic stop for a Fairbury man eventually led to a felony drug charge and 10 to 15 years prison sentence.Carl H. Dooley, age 49, of Fairbury, was arrested on November 26, 2024, after a traffic stop in Jefferson County.According to the arrest affidavit, evidence gathered included multiple items containing what field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Dooley was charged with the intent to manufacture, distribute, deliver, or dispense a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a class 2 felony punishable by one to 50 years in prison. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.While Dooley insisted the drugs were for his personal use, the deputy that filled out the affidavit wrote, “I know from my training and experience that the quantity located is more than just the user amount, and several separate bags, some of which have similar weights, indicate the distribution of the controlled substances.” While he maintained it was not his intention to distribute the drugs, Dooley pleaded guilty to the distribution charge. The paraphernalia charge was dismissed. He appeared for sentencing in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, February 5, 2026, with his attorney, Public Defender Scott Gropp.In a statement to the court, Dooley said, “All I can do is ask forgiveness from God and everything.”Gropp asked for probation for his client. However, Judge Bargen noted that the defendant had previously failed to successfully complete probation. Gropp pointed out that was more than 20 years ago.Nevertheless, the judge said when probation fails, “Something else has to occur.” Judge Bargen sentenced Dooley to no less than 15 and no greater than 20 years in prison. Dooley was then remanded to the custody of the sheriff’s office to carry out the sentence.

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