Carbondale Resident Pleads Guilty To Crack Cocaine Conspiracy

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On September 12, 2014, Johnathan T. Buck, a/k/a “Buffalo,” of Carbondale, Illinois, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

The offense occurred between 2013 and March 2014, in Jackson County. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Buck was involved with others in the distribution of crack cocaine in Carbondale. Buck and his associates were transporting crack cocaine from northern Illinois to Carbondale for distribution. On multiple occasions, Buck sold crack cocaine to a confidential source working for law enforcement.

The crack cocaine offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Buck is currently being held without bond pending a December 16, 2014, sentencing hearing.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Carbondale Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.

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