In January 2017, James L. Fortune, 33, from Grants Pass, Oregon, transported more than 100 grams of ketamine and cocaine on a passenger train to Illinois. Fortune was arrested by Illinois police following a tip at an Amtrak station.
He was charged with felony possession with intent to deliver cocaine and ketamine. In exchange for a guilty plea, the felony charges of cocaine possession were dismissed. He was only charged with possession with intent to deliver ketamine between 100 and 400 grams. Due to the guilty plea, Fortune will be serving 24 months’ probation, which he will serve in Oregon, after he serves two months in Knox County jail. In addition, he was ordered to pay $25,000 in court fees.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. Other types of dissociative anesthetics are hallucinogens, phencyclidine (PCP), dextromethorphan (DXM), and nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), ketamine comes in the form of powder, to be snorted, mixed in drinks, or smoked, while liquid ketamine can be injected, smoked, or mixed into drinks.
What are the Side Effects of Ketamine?
Ketamine users can experience a wide range of side effects while on the drug. Some of these side effects include:
- Sleepiness
- Changes in perceptions of color or sound
- Hallucinations, confusion, and delirium
- Dissociation from body or identity
- Irritability
- Difficulty thinking or learning
- Nausea
- Dilated pupils and changes in eyesight
- Eye twitching
- Muscle spasms
- Slurred speech
- Numbness
- Slow heartbeat
- Changes in behavior
- Loss of appetite
What if I am Arrested for Ketamine?
Drug charges, even small ones, can affect your life in big ways. Your ability to become employed can be jeopardized as employers are allowed to question applicants about their criminal history. Pursuing education can become difficult since criminal convictions can possibly affect student loan applications. Furthermore, your family’s reputation may become damaged, affecting your relationships with others. If you are arrested for possessing, selling, or distributing ketamine, contact an Illinois drug crimes lawyer to help protect your future and your freedom.
In Illinois and under federal law, possessing, distributing, and selling ketamine are all serious felonies. Possessing more than 30 grams of the drug can mean a fine up to $200,000 and four to 15 years in jail. Penalties for less than 30 grams of ketamine vary depending on the severity of the crime (for example, selling is more serious than possession), prior offenses, and aggravating factors. One example of an aggravating factor would be selling ketamine within 1000 feet of a school.
How do I Find a Drug Lawyer in Illinois?
Protecting your future after an arrest is a priority when facing drug charges. The drug lawyers at Glasgow & Olsson are knowledgeable in drug crimes and are committed to protecting you from overly harsh sentencing by the Court.
Illinois residents in Chicago and Cook, Lake, Kane, McHenry, or DuPage counties who have been arrested for possessing, delivering, or selling drugs should contact us at 847.577.8700 for an initial consultation or visit us online and complete the consultation form.
(image courtesy of Mike Petrucci)