Richland County Man Indicted On Methamphetamine Related Charges

Lafe A. Willis, 28, of Olney, IL, was indicted on June 18, 2013, on methamphetamine related charges in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in East St. Louis, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.

Willis was charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges that from on or about January 2011, to on or about December 2012, in Richland County, Illinois, Willis conspired with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to knowingly and intentionally possess pseudoephedrine, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Count 2 charges that from on or about July 24, 2009, to on or about May 14, 2013, in Richland County, Willis did knowingly and intentionally possess pseudoephedrine, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

With respect to each count, Willis faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years supervised release to follow incarceration.

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 Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

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