Jackson County Resident Sentenced For Heroin Offense

On February 20, 2015, Frank R. Johnson, a/k/a “Mo,” 45, of Elkville, Ill., was sentenced for his involvement in a heroin conspiracy the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Johnson, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute heroin, was sentenced to 108 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release. Johnson was fined $400.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Johnson was transporting ounce amounts of heroin from northern Illinois to Elkville for distribution. On numerous occasions, Johnson sold heroin to a confidential source working for law enforcement and to an undercover agent. When agents executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence, they recovered heroin, digital scales, drug packaging materials, and a large amount of U.S. currency. At sentencing, the district court determined that Johnson was responsible for the distribution of approximately 825 grams of heroin. Johnson received an enhanced sentence based on the district court’s finding that Johnson had a leadership role in the criminal offense. The offense occurred between 2012 and January 2014, in Jackson and Franklin Counties.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, West Frankfort Police Department, and 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.