Illinois Man Sentenced to 216 Months in Prison Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Indiana Dateline: Hammond, Indiana Date: 5 February 2026 Subjects: American Government , Crime Topic: Interstate Highway System

HAMMOND- United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund sentenced Robert Crayton, 48 years old, of Evanston, Illinois, to 216 months in prison after Crayton was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Crayton was sentenced to 216 months in prison followed by 6 years of supervised release.

On March 14, 2023, officers of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department stopped Robert Crayton on I-65. During a search of Crayton’s car, officers found approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine hidden behind the center console and under the front passenger area floor mat. Crayton’s travel plans showed that he had flown from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Atlanta, Georgia and was driving back to Illinois when apprehended by law enforcement. Crayton has two prior felony drug distribution convictions, including a prior federal conviction for distribution of crack cocaine near a public elementary school.   

This case was investigated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and Drug Enforcement Administration’s Merrillville Field Office, with assistance from Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Central Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Toth and Ambris Saravanan.  

Updated February 5, 2026