Springfield, Ill. – A Jacksonville, Ill., man, Michael Smith, 36, of the 200-block of Howe Street, has been charged in federal court by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine on or about Jan. 16, 2013.

Smith appeared this afternoon in Springfield before U.S. Magistrate Judge Byron G. Cudmore. Smith was ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending detention and preliminary hearing scheduled on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at 10:00 a.m.

If convicted, the statutory penalty for possession with intent to distribute cocaine is a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison to life in prison. If the defendant has a prior drug felony conviction, the mandatory minimum penalty is 20 years to life in prison.

The charge is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Central Illinois Enforcement Group; the Jacksonville Police Department; the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office; and the Illinois State Police District Nine. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan D. Freres.

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.