July 19, 2011
Contact: Robert J. Hanson
St. Louis Division
314-538-4670

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL. - Stephen R. Wigginton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that on July 19, 2011, Laqueenya Bodie, a 34- year old Pontoon Beach, Illinois woman pled guilty in Federal District Court in East St. Louis to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Sentencing is set for October 28, 2011, in East St. Louis, at which time Bodie will face penalties of five to 40 years’ imprisonment; a fine of up to $2 million, 4 years’ mandatory supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Facts at the guilty plea revealed that on March 5, 2010, Bodie transported from Dallas, Texas, via a train, approximately 501 grams of cocaine hidden in her clothing. Upon reaching St. Louis, Missouri, Bodie was approached by police officers, who escorted her to a room for questioning. While present in this room, Bodie attempted to discreetly remove the packages of cocaine from her clothing and hide them behind boxes in the room. The cocaine was later retrieved by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The investigation which resulted in Bodie’s conviction was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation.