Randolph County Residents Sentenced For Methamphetamine Offenses

On January 5, 2016, and January 7, 2016, Michael A. Boyt, Jr., 20, and Russell A. Stokes, 24, both of Sparta, were sentenced for methamphetamine offenses, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois James L. Porter announced today.

Boyt, Jr., who had previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and fined $725.00. Stokes, who had previously pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possessing pseudoephedrine knowing that it was going to be used to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 100 months in prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and fined $825.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Boyt, Jr., and Stokes were involved with co-defendant Jonathan Haslett and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Stokes provided pseudoephedrine to multiple other persons, including Boyt, Jr., to use to manufacture methamphetamine. Boyt, Jr. manufactured and distributed methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearings, the district court found that Boyt, Jr. was responsible for the possession of 125.28 grams of pseudoephedrine, while Stokes was responsible for the possession of 222.48 grams of pseudoephedrine. The offenses occurred from 2013 to January 2015, in Perry, Randolph, Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Co-defendant Haslett has pled guilty and is currently being held without bond pending a February 2, 2016, sentencing hearing.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Steeleville Police Department, Coulterville Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Perry County Drug Task Force, and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.

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