Man Sentenced to Prison for Cigarette Smuggling in Champaign

Chicago – Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) announced today that Lemont Baggett, 51, of Chicago was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty to felony cigarette smuggling in Champaign County. Baggett was arrested in Champaign County on August 21, 2013 with approximately 3,880 packages of cigarettes from the State of Missouri. 

“I am pleased with the court’s ruling in this matter,” said Connie Beard, Director of Revenue.  “We must remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent black market cigarettes by holding violators accountable for their actions.  “I commend the Attorney General’s office and Department of Revenue’s Criminal Investigations unit for securing the conviction of Mr. Baggett.”  

While on bond, Baggett was subsequently stopped in Cook County on December 15, 2013 and found to be in possession of 315 packs of cigarettes.  Baggett pleaded guilty to the Champaign case as a global resolution to both cases. 

Assistant Attorney General Jim Rustik handled the case for Madigan’s Special Prosecutions Bureau.