Indictment on "Meth" Charge Announced
A Robinson, Ill., man was indicted on April 17, 2012, on a charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
On April 23, 2012, Michael F. Yankey, 48, of Robinson, formerly of Chester, appeared in federal court in Benton, on the indictment. Yankey was ordered held without bond pending his June 25, 2012, jury trial. The indictment alleges that the conspiracy offense occurred between May, 2011, and April, 2012, in Williamson, Randolph, Jackson and Crawford Counties. The offense carries a penalty of 5-40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $4 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Chester Police Department, Murphysboro Police Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
