Cape Girardeau Resident Charged With Southern Illinois Methamphetamine Offense

Carlos L. Hemphill, a/k/a "Los," 34, of Cape Girardeau, was indicted on September 6, 2017, in a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Donald S. Boyce announced today.

The indictment alleges that the offense occurred between November 2016, and August 2017, in Williamson and Jackson Counties. Hemphill made his initial appearance in federal court on September 11, 2017. At his September 14, 2017, detention hearing, Hemphill was ordered held without bond pending a November 13, 2017, jury trial.

The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum penalty of 5-40 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years’ supervised release, and a $5,000,000 fine.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. 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 Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The SEMO Drug Task Force, Herrin Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration also assisted in the investigation.