A Desoto, Ill.-, man was sentenced in federal court on May 2, 2011, on a three-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and two counts of distribution of crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Horatio D. Watson, a./k/a “Ray Wat,” age 27, of Desoto, was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment, 5 years’ supervised release, and fined $900. Watson had previously pled guilty to the three crack cocaine offenses, which occurred from January 2005 to October 2008 in Jackson County. At his sentencing hearing, the district court found that Watson was responsible for the distribution of approximately 40 grams of crack cocaine. On July 25, 2008, and July, 28, 2008, Watson sold crack cocaine in Carbondale to a confidential source working for law enforcement. Evidence at sentencing indicated that Watson had a young child with him when dealing crack cocaine. Watson’s offense level was enhanced based on his possession of a firearm during the crack cocaine conspiracy.

Six co-defendants have previously been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from 120 months to 240 months. One co-defendant has been convicted by a jury and is awaiting sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Illinois State Police, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Carbondale Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. In addition, the Jackson County States Attorney’s Office assisted throughout the investigation.

The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.

 

 

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