Jackson County Residents Headed to Federal Prison
On April 4, 2012, three Jackson County, Ill., residents were sentenced in federal court in Benton on an indictment charging Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Geoffrey A. Phelps, 32, and Heidi R. Libbert, 30, both of Grand Tower, and William E. Wohlwend, 35, of Gorham, had previously pled guilty to Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine. Phelps, was sentenced to 155 months in prison, 10 years supervised release, and fined $200. Libbert was sentenced to 37 months in prison, 3 years supervised release, and fined $200. Wohlwend was sentenced to 60 months in prison, 3 years supervised release, and fined $400.
The offense occurred between 2009, and April 6, 2011, in Jackson, Union, Randolph, and Williamson Counties. Evidence offered at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Phelps, Libbert, and Wohlwend were involved with others in the manufacture, distribution, and use of methamphetamine. On multiple occasions, Phelps stole anhydrous ammonia, which Phelps and others used to manufacture methamphetamine. Libbert supplied pseudoephedrine pills to Phelps and others to use to manufacture methamphetamine. Wohlwend participated in methamphetamine “cooks” and taught others how to manufacture methamphetamine using the “shake and bake” process. Six co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Nine co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County States Attorney’s Office and United States Marshals Service also assisted during the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
