Mt. Vernon, Il Man Indicted On Drug And Gun Related Charges

Torence D. Jones, 24, of Mt. Vernon, IL, was indicted on March 3, 2015, on drug and gun 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 on December 5, 2014, in Jefferson County, Jones knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. Count 2 charges that on December 4, 2014, in Jefferson County, Jones did knowingly possess a firearm from which he knew that the manufacturer's or importer's serial number had been removed, obliterated, or altered.

With respect to Count 1, Jones faces up to 20 years in prison, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of at least 3 years.

With respect to Count 2, Jones faces up to 5 years in prison, up to $250,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 3 years.

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 Joint Narcotics Unit of the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.