Fugitive Meth Dealer Convicted
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 29, 2012, Donald Lee Weidenburner, 54, of Louisville, KY, formerly of Evansville, IN, was convicted by a federal district court jury in Benton, Illinois. Weidenburner was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence shown in the trial established that Weidenburner was involved with others in the manufacture and distribution of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine between August, 2000, and November, 2002, in White, Gallatin, and Saline Counties. In 2002, Weidenburner fled the area to avoid prosecution. He remained a fugitive until November 29, 2010, when he was apprehended by the Western Kentucky Fugitive Task Force.
Weidenburner’s conspiracy offense carries a penalty of 20 years to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $8,000,000 and 10 years’ supervised release. He is currently being held without bond pending his July 2, 2012, sentencing hearing. Sixteen co-defendants have previously been convicted and sentenced in this case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative. The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Illinois State Police, West Frankfort (Illinois) Police Department, Spencer County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Office, Vanderburgh County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Office, Posey County (Indiana) Narcotics Unit, United States Secret Service, Western Kentucky Fugitive Task Force and United States Marshals Service.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda A. Robertson and George A. Norwood.
