Richland County Man Indicted on Methamphetamine Related Charges

Michael J. Murphy, 36, of Olney, Illinois, was indicted on April 19, 2017, on methamphetamine related charges in a two count indictment returned by a federal grand jury, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.

Count One of the indictment charges that from December 2016, until on or about March 25, 2017, in Richland County, and elsewhere, Murphy conspired to distribute methamphetamine in violation of federal law. The total amount of methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy was 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (ice), or 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.

Count Two charges that on March 25, 2017, in Richland County, Murphy knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The total amount of mixture and substance containing methamphetamine possessed by the defendant was five grams or more of methamphetamine (ice), or 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

With respect to Count One, Murphy faces a minimum of ten years up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and supervised release of not less than five years. With respect to Count

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Two, Murphy faces 5-40 years of imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and supervised release of not less than four 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 Richland County Sheriff’s Office.