METHAMPHETAMINE DEALING LIKELY TO RESULT IN PRISON SENTENCE FOR FORMER CARBONDALE MAN
An Evansville, IN, man pled guilty on August 25, 2011, in federal district court in Benton, to Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Thomas A. Vogel, 53, of Evansville, formerly of Carbondale, pled guilty to a one-count second superseding indictment charging Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine. The offense carries a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $4,000,000 and 5 years’ supervised release. The offense occurred between May 2005, and March 31, 2008, in Jackson and Williamson Counties. Vogel was initially indicted in February 2008. He fled the area and was arrested by the United States Marshals Service in February 2011, in Florida. Vogel is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2011. Four co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their roles in the methamphetamine conspiracy.
Evidence offered at the plea hearing established that Vogel was involved with others in the manufacture, distribution, and use of methamphetamine. Vogel was a methamphetamine cook and admitted that he was responsible for the manufacture of more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Vogel also admitted that he traded firearms for anhydrous ammonia and methamphetamine.
The investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, COMIT Drug Task Force, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Illinois State Police, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
