Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Walter James Henson, 38, of Centralia, Illinois, pled guilty on March 9, 2015, to charges filed against him in an indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury in November 2014. Henson pled guilty to Possession of Equipment, Chemicals, Products and Materials with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine (on March 5, 2014), in Marion County (Count 1), and Possession of Pseudoephedrine Knowing It Would Be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine (on March 5, 2014), in Marion County (Count 2). The charges are violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act.

Count 1 carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Count 2 carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Both counts require an assessment of $100.

Information leading to the charges against Henson was obtained in an investigation conducted by the FBI, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.