Janesville man faces federal charges

By GAZETTE STAFF   Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009
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— A convicted drug dealer released from prison last fall is facing new federal drug-dealing charges.

Christopher C. Bell, 34, Janesville, is accused of distributing five grams or more of crack cocaine Jan. 13 and Feb. 12.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Reinhard said Bell was released from prison Oct. 28, 2008.

Bell was convicted in 1997 of running a crack cocaine distribution network out of his music store in Beloit. At the time, he was considered one of the biggest crack dealers the county had ever seen, doing half his business in Janesville.

Bell’s release date originally was in 2015. He was released early because he cooperated with government investigators, Reinhard said.

Bell’s arrest came through an investigation by the Rock County Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Beloit Police Department, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney’s office.

Bell faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted on the latest charges.

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(18)
call1
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:55 a.m.
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And who says "Plea bargaining doesn't pay." Maybe.. just maybe.. when these prosecutor's make these sweet deals with these drug dealers, they should include, letting the drug dealers come live in their neighborhoods when they get released from prison early. Or even better.. let the drug dealers come live in their homes till they're off parole.

ebaijunky06
Mar 12, 2009 at 7:54 p.m.
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If he didnt learn after 11 years of being locked up, he never will. Obviously dude isnt very bright.

etown
Feb 20, 2009 at 7:25 p.m.
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they would send him back to prison but he s not a threat so the governor to save money will be moving him to a home near you

ja67
Feb 19, 2009 at 9:15 p.m.
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Ship him back to prison for life, he had one chance but abused it.

ljs64
Feb 19, 2009 at 6:13 p.m.
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Awe..give him one more chance. I'll bet he's learned his lesson now.

Irishlady4ev
Feb 19, 2009 at 4:26 p.m.
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Axtually his drug business was still active while he was in as to the friends he had working with him This was known street wide. I have a sister in prison that was involved with both brothers and she never lacked for her drugs while they were away. She did eventually get off drugs replaced it with alcohol and got to many OWIs and went to prison.

Irishlady4ev
Feb 19, 2009 at 4:21 p.m.
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Him and his brother have both been arrested for drugs and I know first hand as to his brother. Chris was given 15 to 25 years in 1997 and was out in 11 so I hope this time they do the right thing and give him the max. Of course if you give up others you get you time reduced, IMO that by giving up competition you'll have the streets back when you get out early and make all the more money. I hope his brother is doing good.

cakes0882
Feb 19, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.
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By the way he was still under home confinement at a halfway house which technically makes him an inmate of the federal bureau of prisons. He was an inmate convicted of selling drugs back at it again in less than 90 days.

cakes0882
Feb 19, 2009 at 2:51 p.m.
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I have lived in Beloit and Janesville for a long time and as a child of a former drug addict I would like to see this scum punished to the fullest extent of the law. Drug dealers peddle death and often sell to the parents or family members with no shame. Fast money is glamorized and people have the nerve to look at you crazy when you say you work a full time job. Case in point I had a graduation party for my master's degree at a park at the same time a drug dealer recently released from prison. You would have thought he was a hero. No one is above the law, a job, or behaving with common sense. If you sell misery then do not be surpised if you become miserable yourself. Throw the book at him maybe this time he'll read it behind bars.

gixxer
Feb 19, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.
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It's true that crack does kill. I had a good friend several years ago who got hooked on this garbage I tried on many times to get him to stop using, I even told him he was killing my best friend (himself) 2 years later it took his life (my best friend)Eric.

truth1
Feb 19, 2009 at 1:25 p.m.
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I've tried for months using various methods to find the dealer..........if I had more time, I probably could.

sweetieliz
Feb 19, 2009 at 1:17 p.m.
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The problem is these people doing the drugs arent getting off the streets because some people dont take a stand and do something about it. Like someone mentioned, they know someone who uses drugs. Why havent you done anything about this? How do you think the guy is getting the cocaine? Its a chain.. you get the user, you find the dealer etc.. If you dont want them to know its you, you can have the police handle it and report anonymously.

truth1
Feb 19, 2009 at 12:52 p.m.
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I say GOOD JOB...........but its funny how the rich, powdered cocaine users and dealers aren't persued with the same vigilance....I know a well-to-do business owner that uses cocaine daily and seems to have no fear of prosecution .........pathetic.

gixxer
Feb 19, 2009 at 12:03 p.m.
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Well it's sad to say, But with the way the crime rate is increasing do to economics,Law enforcement will have job security.

bignik
Feb 19, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.
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Sad, Sad, Sad! Keep this guy off the street and protect our children!!! Just wait, it is only going to get worst off with our struggling economy........

JCK
Feb 19, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
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Not even out of prison for 90 days and the dude is right back at it. Pathetic

beeferer
Feb 19, 2009 at 9:11 a.m.
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Some people just won't learn- as opposed to can't learn.

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