Seventeen Face Federal Methamphetamine Charges

A federal grand jury in Benton, Illinois, has charged 17 individuals with methamphetamine related offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Those charged with providing pseudoephedrine pills to methamphetamine manufacturers are: Dennis Bowen, 40, Johnston City, Illinois, Bridgett L. Garrington, 29, Johnston City, Illinois, Dana L. Gulley, 40, Herrin, Illinois, Dustin J. Gulley, 22, Herrin, Illinois, Sherri Gunter-Perkins, 40, West Frankfort, Illinois, Casey Heath, 24, Herrin, Illinois, Dawn Jacobsen, 37, Carbondale, Illinois, Karla Jones, 31, Herrin, Illinois, Doyle Massengill, 53, Herrin, Illinois, Stephanie Patrick, 22, Elkville, Illinois, Keith Pichelman, 24, Carbondale, Illinois, Richard Robinson, 45, Herrin, Illinois, Amber Scro-Cardwell, 28, West Frankfort, Illinois, Robin Sides, 27, Herrin, Illinois, Eric Smothers, 52, Herrin, Illinois, Mary Smothers, 45, Herrin, Illinois, and Julie Woolum, 37, Benton, Illinois.

All those charged face up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250, 000 fine if convicted.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, United States Marshals Service, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Benton Police Department, Royalton Police Department, West City Police Department, Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office, Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Leggans.