Four southern Illinois residents pled guilty on August 23, 2012, to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Shana L. Ewing, 39, of Marion, Richard S. Spurgeon, a/k/a “Shane Spurgeon,” 37, of Murphysboro, Ambre Harmon, a/k/a “Amber Harmon,” 36, of Carterville, and Heather Ashmore, 36, of Johnston City, appeared in federal court in Benton and entered guilty please to the one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The conspiracy offense occurred between 2008, and January 30, 2012, in Williamson, Jackson, Saline, and Franklin Counties. Ewing’s offense carries a penalty of a term of imprisonment from 10 years to life, a fine of not more than $20 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 8 years. Spurgeon’s offense carries a penalty of 5-40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5 million, and a term of supervised release of 4 years. Harmon’s and Ashmore’s offenses carry a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1 million, and a term of supervised release of 3 years. The four co-defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on November 29, 2012. Two co-defendants have previously pled guilty to their involvement in the methamphetamine conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Murphysboro Police Department, Marion Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Carrier Mills Police Department, Harrisburg Police Department, and United States Marshals Service.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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