U.S. Department
of Justice
Clay County Man Indicted On Methamphetamine Related Charges
Henry J. Dietz, 54, of Edgewood, IL, was indicted on February 3, 2015, on methamphetamine related charges in a two count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Count 1 charges that from January 2010, until on or about August 25, 2014, in Clay County, and elsewhere within the Southern District of Illinois, Dietz conspired with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to manufacture 50 or more grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Count 2 charges that on August 25, 2014, in Clay County, Dietz possessed equipment, chemicals, products, or materials which can be used to manufacture methamphetamine, knowing, intending, and having reasonable cause to believe, that those items would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
With respect to Count 1, Dietz faces 5-40 years in prison, up to $2,000,000 fine, supervised release of at least 4 years, and a $100 special assessment.
With respect to Count 2, Dietz faces up to 10 years in prison, up to $250,000 fine, supervised release of up to 3 years, and a $100 special assessment.
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 investigation in this case was conducted by the Flora Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.