Murphysboro Resident Charged With Crack Cocaine And Firearm Offenses

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On October 7, 2014, Martell L. Brown-Wright, a/k/a “Low Key,” 28, of Murphysboro, was charged by indictment with distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

The indictment asserts that the offenses occurred on September 4-5, 2014, at the New Horizons Housing Complex, in Murphysboro, Jackson County.

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 crack cocaine offenses carry a penalty of up to 40 years in federal prison, to be followed by 6 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $2,000,000. The firearm offense carries a penalty of 5 years to life in federal prison, followed by 5 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Federal law requires that any term of imprisonment imposed on the firearm offense must be served consecutive to any term imposed on the drug offenses.

Brown-Wright made his initial appearance in federal court in Benton on October 28, 2014. He is currently being held without bond, pending an October 31, 2014, bond hearing.

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