Perry County Resident Pleads Guilty To Methamphetamine Offense

On February 19, 2015, Stephanie A. Ellis, 36, DuQuoin, Ill., pled guilty to a one-count indictment, charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

The indictment alleges that the offense occurred between 2012 and September 2014, in Perry, Jackson, Randolph, Williamson, and Franklin Counties. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Ellis was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Four co-defendants have previously pled guilty to their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. Two co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting jury trial. Ellis is currently being held without bond pending a June 18, 2015, sentencing hearing.

The offense carries a possible prison term of up to 20 years, to be followed by 3 years’supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Murphysboro Police Department, and DuQuoin Police Department. The Pinckneyville Police Department and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team assisted in the investigation.

The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.