A Murphysboro man pled guilty on April 14, 2011, in United States District Court in Benton, Ill.- to a two-count Indictment charging him with Distribution of Crack Cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Jeffrey L. Smith, a/k/a “Jazz,” and “Jazzy Jeff,” 42, of Murphysboro, pled guilty in United States District Court at Benton. At his guilty plea hearing, Smith admitted that he sold crack cocaine to a confidential source on two occasions on July 22, 2010. The offenses occurred in Jackson County.

Each distribution offense carries a penalty of up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $2,000,000, and a term of at least 6 years’ supervised release. Smith is currently being held without bond pending a July 28, 2011, sentencing hearing.

The investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Murphysboro Police Department pursuant to those agencies’ participation in the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. The investigation was conducted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods DRAGUN Team 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. In addition, the Jackson County States Attorney’s Office assisted during the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson.

 

 

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