Springfield, Ill. – A federal grand jury in Peoria today charged a Will county man and woman with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in Springfield, as announced by U.S. Attorney Rodger A. Heaton of the Central District of Illinois.

The indictment charges Kenneth Brown, 37, and Bobbie Jo Diers, 38, both of Joliet, Illinois, with conspiracy to distribute 50 or more grams of crack cocaine on January 28, 2009. The indictment alleges the two worked together to transport the drugs from Joliet to Springfield with each making telephone calls to arrange delivery of the drugs in Springfield. According to the indictment, Diers allegedly drove Brown to Springfield and concealed the crack cocaine on her person at Brown’s request. Both are also charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of crack cocaine on January 28, 2009.

If convicted, for each offense, the statutory mandatory minimum sentence is 10 years to life in prison; with a prior felony drug conviction, the penalty is enhanced to a mandatory minimum 20 years in prison.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, and the Springfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Bohm is prosecuting the case.

The two were arrested in Springfield on January 28, 2009. U.S. Magistrate Judge Byron G. Cudmore ordered both defendants be detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at a hearing on February 13, 2009.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.