Altamont Man Sentenced For Drug Offense

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Ricky T. Garner, 47, of Altamont, Illinois, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, for Possession With Intent to Distribute Alpha-PVP.

"Alpha-PVP" is a prohibited controlled substance very similar to methamphetamine. It is chemically similar to methamphetamine and produces similar effects when ingested.

Garner pled guilty to the federal charge on June 2, 2015. At his change of plea hearing, the Government presented evidence that Garner was arrested near Beecher City, IL, on October 1, 2014. At the time of his arrest, Illinois State Police troopers found 70 grams (2 ½ ounces) of Alpha-PVP next to Garner in the truck which he was driving.

Garner has been continuously confined since his arrest last October.

Upon release from prison, Garner will also have to serve a term of 3 years on supervised release.

The investigation which resulted in Garner’s arrest and conviction was conducted by an Illinois State Police Swat Team based in Effingham, IL.

Garner’s case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.