Joette Payne et al Press Release (Guilty Plea)

March 16, 2009
For Immediate Release

FRANKLIN COUNTY PEOPLE PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGES

St. Louis, MO: Eight Franklin County people have plead guilty to federal methamphetamine charges, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today.

“This office, with the cooperation of the law enforcement agencies involved in this case, will continue our efforts to bring an end to methamphetamine production in the Eastern District of Missouri,” said Hanaway.

JOETTE PAYNE, Sullivan, Missouri, plead guilty today before United States District Judge Henry Autrey.

Eleven people were indicted in December, the following co-defendants have pleaded guilty within the last week to related charges and await sentencing in June 2009:

David Payne, Sullivan, Missouri
Jeffrey Kerbler, St. Clair, Missouri
Franklin Whited, St. Clair, Missouri
Rebecca Whited, St. Clair, Missouri
Heather Maxwell, Owensville, Missouri
Johnathan Maxwell, St. Clair, Missouri
Danielle Declue, St. Louis, Missouri
William Johnson, St. Clair, Missouri
Tina Johnson, St. Clair, Missouri
Steven Corio, St. Clair, Missouri

Possession of pseudoephedrine, knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Franklin County Narcotics Task Force, the St. Louis County and City Police Departments and Assistant United States Attorney Jeannette Graviss, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI CATHERINE L. HANAWAY United States Attorney	NEWS RELEASE
For further information: Call Public Affairs Officer Jan Diltz at (314) 539-7719
March 16, 2009 For Immediate Release FRANKLIN COUNTY PEOPLE PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGES St. Louis, MO: Eight Franklin County people have plead guilty to federal methamphetamine charges, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today. “This office, with the cooperation of the law enforcement agencies involved in this case, will continue our efforts to bring an end to methamphetamine production in the Eastern District of Missouri,” said Hanaway. JOETTE PAYNE, Sullivan, Missouri, plead guilty today before United States District Judge Henry Autrey. Eleven people were indicted in December, the following co-defendants have pleaded guilty within the last week to related charges and await sentencing in June 2009: David Payne, Sullivan, Missouri Jeffrey Kerbler, St. Clair, Missouri Franklin Whited, St. Clair, Missouri Rebecca Whited, St. Clair, Missouri Heather Maxwell, Owensville, Missouri Johnathan Maxwell, St. Clair, Missouri Danielle Declue, St. Louis, Missouri William Johnson, St. Clair, Missouri Tina Johnson, St. Clair, Missouri Steven Corio, St. Clair, Missouri Possession of pseudoephedrine, knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Franklin County Narcotics Task Force, the St. Louis County and City Police Departments and Assistant United States Attorney Jeannette Graviss, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.