September 12, 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 September 8, 2011, Mark Clarke, 56, and David Clarke, 34, a father and son originally from Jamaica, but living and working in Kansas City, MO, pled guilty to a one-count Information charging them with conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. In addition, both Mark Clarke and David Clarke agreed to a forfeiture allegation in excess of $6,000,000. Sentencing is set for January 6, 2012, in East St. Louis, IL. At the time of sentencing, they both face penalties of 5 to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Mark Clarke admitted in open Court that he delivered marijuana and received cash payments for the marijuana in furtherance of the conspiracy. Mark Clarke agreed that his conduct in the conspiracy related to at least 400 kilograms (825 pounds) of marijuana.

David Clarke admitted in open Court that he delivered marijuana and received cash payments for the marijuana in furtherance of the conspiracy. David Clarke agreed that his conduct in the conspiracy related to at least 700 kilograms (1,500 pounds) of marijuana.

The conspiracy took place from in or about 2005 through March 2008, in Madison County, IL.

The investigation was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), with the Drug Enforcement Administration as the lead agency. The OCDETF initiative is designed to bring federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and resources together to identify, target and dismantle large national and international drug trafficking organizations.