February 03, 2011
Contact: Robert J. Hanson
St. Louis Division
314-538-4670

BENTON, IL. - Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that on January 26, 2011, BRANDIE WENZEL , age 39, of 2220 Grand Avenue, Eldorado, Illinois, plead guilty in United States District Court at Benton, IL, to a one count indictment charging her with “Possession of a Listed Chemical (Pseudoephedrine) Knowing it Would Be Used to Manufacture a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)”, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(c)(2). The violation took place from or about June 19, 2008, through May 21, 2010, in Saline County, Illinois. After her plea, she was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending her sentencing which is set for 1:30 p.m., April 28, 2011, at Benton.

At her plea, WENZEL admitted to the court that from Jun 19, 2008, through May 21, 2010, she would purchase or obtain from others pseudoephedrine pills for use in manufacturing methamphetamine. Once obtained, she would provide them to an individual who would use them to make methamphetamine. In return, she would be paid in cash or with a portion of the finished methamphetamine. The methamphetamine produced was then sold throughout southern Illinois. Records from several merchants throughout southern Illinois showed numerous purchases of pseudoephedrine by WENZEL during this period.

The offense carries with it a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00 or both. Any term of imprisonment must be followed by a term of not more than three years of supervised release.

This investigation was conducted jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, and the Franklin and the Saline County Sheriff’s Offices. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Carr.