Centralia Man Pleads Guilty To Drug and Gun Charges

Steven D. Weinhoeft, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today 
that on September 12, 2019, David Herron, 48, of Centralia, Illinois, pleaded guilty to an 
indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess methamphetamine and heroin, 
possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a 
felon. The conspiracy took place from March 2018 to April 2019.

Court documents revealed that an FBI Task Force investigated Herron’s narcotics trafficking 
activities in the Centralia area for several months leading up to his arrest in April 2019. During 
that time, Herron was out on bond in two separate pending drug-related cases in Marion County. 
Herron was distributing methamphetamine and heroin from 2 locations in Centralia: a residence and a 
mobile home.

At the time of his arrest, Herron was in possession of methamphetamine and heroin packaged for sale 
as he left his residence on Hardin Street in Centralia. A search of his residence revealed over 200 
grams of 98% pure methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. As a convicted felon, Herron is prohibited 
from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The conspiracy and drug charges each carry a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and not less 
than 5 years of supervised release. The firearm charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ 
imprisonment and 3 years’ supervised release. Federal inmates typically serve 85% of their prison 
term. Supervised release follows completion of imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for December 
19, 2019 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis. Herron has been detained in the federal 
system since his April arrest.

The FBI’s Task Force continues its investigation into narcotics trafficking and related activities 
in the Marion-Clinton-Washington County areas. Law enforcement agencies participating in the FBI 
Task Force include the Centralia Police Department, the Carlyle Police Department, and the Marion, 
Clinton, and Washington County Sheriffs’ Offices. This case is being
prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.