Madison County Man Charged With Methamphetamine Offense

A Southern Illinois resident was indicted on April 21, 2015, for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

James Lynn Wagner, 49, of Madison County, was charged in a one-count indictment of knowingly and intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that the offense occurred on or about February 27, 2014, within the Southern District of Illinois. Wagner made his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court on May 1, 2015, in East Saint Louis. He is temporarily detained in the custody of U.S. Marshals until his detention hearing set on Wednesday, May 6, 2015.

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 methamphetamine offense carries a statutory mandatory minimum of 5 years imprisonment and carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in federal prison, to be followed by 4 years’ supervised release, and an $8,000,000.00 fine.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI).

The case is assigned to Special Assistant United States Attorney Vanessa T. Lu for prosecution.