Seven Indicted On Drug Conspiracy Charges

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on May 9, 2013, Martez Moore, a.k.a. “Tez” and “Mo,” 38, of Belleville, Antwone Johnson, a.k.a. “Twon,” 33, of Cahokia; Dewayne Hill, 38, St. Clair County, Brian Matthews, a.k.a. “Caine,” 46, St. Clair County, Jaren Jamison, a.k.a. “J,” 25, of Cahokia, Bryant Sawyer, 27, St. Clair County, and Orlando Ward, 41, of Belleville, were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, in a four count indictment charging all in Count 1 with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, the amount being in excess of five kilograms. All but Ward were also charged in Count 2 with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Moore and Johnson were also charged in Counts 3 and 4 of the Indictment with Distribution of Cocaine Base, in the form commonly referred to as “crack” cocaine. The Indictment also has a forfeiture allegation relating to four firearms.

The conspiracy is alleged to have taken place from April 5, 2013, to May 7, 2013, in St. Clair and Madison Counties. The allegation contained in Count 2 is alleged to have taken place on May 7, 2013, in St. Clair and Madison Counties. The allegation contained in Count 3 is alleged to have taken place on April 5, 2013, and the allegation contained in Count 4 is alleged to have taken place on April 11, 2013, both in St. Clair County.

If convicted, the maximum penalties are as follows: Count 1 – not less than 10 years, up to life in prison, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment; Count 2 – not less than 5 years, up to life in prison consecutive to the sentence on Count 1, a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment; Count 3 – up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, not less than 3 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment; Count 4 – not less than 5 years, but up to 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

Information leading to the charges was obtained in an investigation conducted jointly by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working in partnership.