NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
STEPHEN R. WIGGINTON UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
Nine Executive Drive, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208 402 West Main Street, Benton, Illinois 62812
For Immediate Release Public Information Officer December 1, 2010 FAUSA Randy G. Massey (618) 628-3700
ANNA WOMAN SENTENCED IN HEROIN CONSPIRACY
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on November 29, 2010, MELANIE A. HAAS, age 24, of Anna, Illinois, was sentenced in United States District Court in Benton, Illinois. HAAS, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging her with conspiracyto distribute heroin, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment, 4 years’ supervised release, and was fined $600.
The violation took place between December 2008 and May 17, 2010, in Union and Jackson Counties. Two co-defendantshavepreviouslypled guiltyand areawaiting sentencing. One co-defendant has pled not guilty and is awaiting a January 24, 2011, jury trial.
The investigation was being conducted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Murphysboro Police Department. The investigation is being conducted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, a cooperative effort of local, state, and federal law enforcement, and state and federal prosecuting authorities, aimed at ridding communities of illegal drugs and guns.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
