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Press Release

Southern Illinois Residents Face Prison Terms For Methamphetamine Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that three Southern Illinois residents were recently sentenced as a result of their participation in conspiracies to manufacture methamphetamine.

On March 7, 2013, Bret A. Crunk, 42, of Anna, IL, was sentenced in United States District Court in Benton on a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Crunk was sentenced to 120 months in prison, 8 years of supervised release, and fined $600. The offense occurred between 2010, and March 12, 2012, in Union, Jackson, and Saline Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Crunk was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. During the conspiracy, Crunk obtained over 195 grams of pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. One co-defendant has previously been sentenced for his involvement in the methamphetamine conspiracy and one co-defendant has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing. This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Union County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted during the investigation.

On March 7, 2013, Emma J. York, a/k/a Emma J. Melton, 36, of Annapolis, IL, was also sentenced in United States District Court in Benton on a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. York was sentenced to 188 months in prison, 8 years of supervised release, and fined $600. This offense occurred between July, 2011, and August 12, 2012, in Crawford, Jasper, Randolph, and Jackson Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that York was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. During the conspiracy, York participated in numerous methamphetamine “cooks” and also obtained over 98 grams of pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. York received an enhanced sentence based on her classification as a Career Offender. This investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Robinson Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the investigation.

Additionally, on March 7, 2013, Jason S. Thorne, 32, of Marion, IL, was sentenced in United States District Court in Benton on a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Thorne was sentenced to 156 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and fined $300. The district judge ordered the federal sentence to run consecutive to a state sentence that Thorne is currently serving. The offense occurred between 2009 and 2011 in Williamson County. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Thorne was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. During the conspiracy, Thorne participated in methamphetamine “cooks” and also obtained over 45 grams of pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. Thorne received an enhanced sentence based on his classification as a Career Offender. This investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Police Department, Murphysboro Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.

All three cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson.

Updated February 19, 2015