Jury convicts Edwardsville man of drug trafficking

BENTON, Ill. – A federal jury returned a two-count guilty verdict for an Edwardsville man charged with distributing meth in Franklin and Perry counties.

Kevin D. Stewart, 59, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of meth.

Co-defendant Elizabeth J. Schwartzkopf, 43, of Pinckneyville, pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to distribute meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth and was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment on Wednesday.

"The collaboration between the ISP and the U.S. Attorney's Office is essential in dismantling drug trafficking networks,” stated ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “By combining investigative expertise with prosecutorial power, this partnership delivers justice more effectively, disrupting criminal operations and protecting the well-being of our communities."

According to court documents and evidence at trial, Illinois State Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Schwartzkopf with Stewart in the passenger seat in March 2024. Officers recovered 312 grams of methamphetamine, 924 grams of homemade THC gummies, and a scale from the vehicle.

Stewart’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Benton. Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of meth carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment.

The Illinois State Police Drug Task Force led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Sanders and Tom Leggans are prosecuting the case.