'Meth' Indictment Announced

Two Jackson County, Illinois, residents were indicted on February 21, 2013, in an indictment, charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

On February 28, 2013, Leslie Blaine Clover, 48, of Desoto, and Crystal D. Kellems, 38, of Ava, were arraigned in United States District Court in Benton on an indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The indictment alleged that the offense occurred between June 2012 and January 28, 2013, in Jackson and Randolph Counties. Both Clover and Kellems are being held without bond pending their trial.

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.

If convicted, Clover and Kellems face up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, and Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson.