Centralia Man Arrested on Drug Trafficking, Gun Charges

David Herron, 47, of Centralia, Illinois, has been arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, an FBI task force made up of federal, state, and local law enforcement has been investigating Herron for narcotics trafficking activities in the Centralia area. On several occasions this year, investigators allegedly made undercover purchases of controlled substances from Herron at two locations in Centralia. On April 24, 2019, the task force arrested Herron. During a subsequent search of the residence where he was staying, investigators reportedly found a gun and suspected narcotics that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The complaint alleges that Herron is a convicted felon, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm.

A criminal complaint is merely 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 methamphetamine charge carries a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and at least five years of supervised release. If convicted of possessing the gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Herron faces an additional five years to life imprisonment, which by law must run consecutively to any sentence imposed on the other charges.

Herron made his initial appearance in federal court on April 25. He is being held pending a detention hearing on April 30.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and members of the FBI task force, including the Centralia Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carlyle Police Department.